Georgia:  Coweta County:  Biography of A. C. RUSSELL

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A. C. RUSSELL is the grandson of Andrew Russell, who entered the 
revolutionary army at the age of eighteen, and whose father had come from 
Scotland some years before. Jane Caldwell, a sister, who came over at the 
same time, paid the sum of nine guineas for her passage. Andrew Russell 
married Miss Mary Caldwell and settled in South Carolina, where his son 
Robert was born. Here the latter grew to manhood and was for some time 
captain in the state militia. He married Miss Mary Brown, whose parents, 
Robert and Nancy Brown, were natives of Scotland, both members of the 
Presbyterian church, who had come to this country previous to the revolution, 
in which war the father took part. Mr. Russell's father was a member and an 
elder of the Presbyterian church. In 1825, in Newburry district, S. C., 
Robert Russell's son, A. C., was born, and in 1832 the father took his family 
and such of his property as he could transport and set out for Georgia, 
making the long journey in mule wagons. With the train were a dog and a colt 
which belonged to the little lad, A. C., and in crossing the Savannah river 
both fell into the stream. To the great joy of their young owner, after 
considerable effort, they were both rescued, but it is not surprising that 
the circumstance made a deep impression upon his childish mind. The 
settlement was made in Coweta county in the woods, where, while their cabins 
were building, they stretched a tent for shelter. Here the wolves were so 
numerous that they frightened the stock and even the dogs were driven under 
the tent for safety. During the first year, while clearing up his farm, Mr. 
Russell was obliged to go thirty miles for corn to feed his stock. Amid the 
varied scenes of this pioneer life, with only such opportunities of learning 
as were commonly found in the little log schoolhouses of that period, young 
Russell grew to manhood. In 1862 he enlisted with Capt. Gabbett, under Col. 
Stovall, but his company was chiefly engaged in the manufacture of saltpetre, 
and Mr. Russell, desiring to be engaged in more active service, proposed 
exchanging into a cavalry company; his captain, however, calling him a fool 
for wishing to go into the danger at the front, persuaded him to remain with 
his company, which he did until the close of the war. At one time when a 
raid of the Federal soldiers was expected, there being considerable of a 
panic among the troops, Mr. Russell was brevetted captain, but the Federals 
did not make their appearance. After the war he returned to his home in 
Coweta county, where his thoughtful wife had been busy during his absence and 
with the little she had been able to save from her own earnings, had made a 
new beginning; year by year he added to his wealth and has become one of the 
most influential and well-to-do citizens of the county. He at one time owned 
500 acres of well-improved land, but in 1892 he retired from the farm and 
moved to Turin. In 1856 he married Miss Rebecca C. Parks, daughter of Joseph 
Parks, whose parents were natives of South Carolina, where she also was born 
in 1828, but they removed thence to Meriwether county, Ga., in 1832. They 
were members of the Presbyterian church, as also their daughter, Mrs. 
Russell, and her husband. Mrs. Russell died in April, 1891, leaving four 
children: Ella C., wife of Loson Carmichael; Mary, wife of Payson Watley; 
Sarah A. and Walter C. Mr. Russell was for some time a member of the Sons of 
Temperance. In spite of early disadvantages he has carved out for himself a 
name and a place in the world. He and his family deservedly stand high in 
the community.

Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical 
Association, 1895.