JONES CO., IA: BIOGRAPHY: John Russell
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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NOTE:  For more information on Jones County, Iowa 
       Please visit the Jones County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/jones/
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Page 363

      Honorable JOHN RUSSELL,--This gentleman, well known to the people of Iowa as 
"Honest John Russell." Was born at Kettle Bridge, County of Fife, Scotland, October 8, 
1821.  He enjoyed limited school privileges until fifteen years of age, when he was 
apprenticed by his father to the trade of stone cutter, and served a full term of four years.  
Soon after his term expired, while working at his trade as a journeyman, at Glasgow, he 
obtained a copy of the "Life of Benjamin Franklin," and the work made a deep impression 
on his mind.  He acquired a love for literature and imbibed liberal political principles, and 
took an active part in the "Charter movement," in behalf of universal suffrage, vote by 
ballot, no property qualification, and other modifications of the British system.  Becoming 
well posted in reference to American affairs, he resolved to emigrate.  After accumulating 
money enough to defray the expenses of his passage, he proceeded to Liverpool and 
embarked on the "Patrick Henry," arriving at New York, May 39, 1842.  From New York he 
proceeded to Pittsburgh and engaged in cutting stone until an uncle of his residing there 
persuaded him to engage in trade, loaning him $350, to which he added $100 of his own, 
purchased some goods and opened a store at Highland Columbiana County, Ohio.  Here he 
remained nearly nine years, when having acquired about $2000, he decided to see more of 
the West.  He visited St. Louis and St. Joseph, Missouri, and from thence came to Iowa on 
foot.  After visiting a considerable portion of the state, he bought a quarter section of land in 
Jones County, and returned to Ohio for his wife and children.  In December, 1852, he landed 
at Keokuk, on his return, and purchasing a team, conveyed his family then to Jones County 
early the following Spring, where he improved his farm, and has since been numbered 
among the successful farmers of Iowa.
	With his native ability, improved by careful reading and study, he did not long escape 
public attention.  His first official position was that of chairman of the Board of School 
Directors at his new home.  In 1860 he was chosen one f the Board of Supervisors of Jones 
County, and made chairman.  In 1861 he was elected as Representative of the County in the 
Iowa Legislature, and was repeatedly re0elected to the same position, which he held for five 
consecutive terms.  In the House of Representatives he was chosen Speaker for the session 
of 1868, and displayed good ability as a presiding officer.
	Mr. Russell's legislative career was a useful and honorable one.  He was an earnest, 
industrious worker, and a fearless advocate of the right as he understood it.  With sagacity 
and excellent common sense he united marked ability in debate, and wielded much influence 
in the house.  He took an active part in the organization of the Arigcultural College, and was 
one of its Directors for four years, doing much to secure its permanent usefulness and 
prosperity.  He was author of the act for the publication of the state laws in the newspapers, 
which passed in 1866.  In 1870 he advocated the taxation of railroad property.  This was the 
first important battle on the question in the General Assembly of Iowa, and the advocates of 
the doctrine that railroads are under legislative control of the state, gained its first important 
victory in the law then passed, although it effect was considerable neutralized for the time by 
amendments secured by the powerful railroad interest.
	In 1870 Mr. Russell was the choice of the Republican State Convention for Auditor of 
State, and was triumphantly elected.  He was re-nominated and re-elected in 1873.  He 
retired on the first of January, 1875, with a well earned reputation as an honest and efficient 
officer.  His service to the state in procuring the adjustment of all unsettled school fund 
accounts with the several counties whose accounts were in an unsettled condition, is 
deserving of especial mention.  In this work it was necessary to sift the transactions with the 
fund, in some of the counties, to the earliest date, in order to protect the fund against loss, 
and definitely ascertain, its proper amount.  This work was thoroughly and satisfactorily 
accomplished, and the school fund accounts were adjusted in excellent order, ere the close of 
his term as Auditor.
	Mr. Russell has much force of character, firmness and conscientiousness; but is 
naturally very sociable, agreeable in his deportment, and strongly attached to his friends.  In 
every public position he has left a clear and honorable record.