Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Russell, Heman R 1862 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 11:31 pm Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 HEMAN R. RUSSELL. In driving about Manhattan Township the eyes of the stranger would be drawn to the fine residence, of a style of architecture mostly confined to cities, which stands on beautiful grounds about seven miles from Joliet. The valuable farm which this dwelling adorns comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, and is being furnished as fast as possible with the modern improvements in the way of farm buildings, windmill and tank, and every convenience which will assist in the labor of the proprietor or add to his enjoyment. Mr. Russell makes a specialty of raising standard-bred horses and is the owner of "Venango," a two-year-old of fine proportions and movement, which already has a record of 2:41. He is the finest-bred horse in the county, being a cross between "Blue Bull, No. 75," and "Hambletonian, No. 10," and having been sired by "Bogardus," whose well- known record is 2:28; his dam was sired by "Sterling," the son of "Volunteer." "Venango" is registered as No. 9521. Mr. Russell also owns three standard-bred Hambletonian fillies, two Greens Bashaw stallions, a yearling and colt. He also breeds draft horses, at the head of the herd of these animals being a full-blooded bay Norman, two years old, called "Premier III.," and weighs fifteen hundred pounds. Full- blooded Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs are also raised. Going back two generations in the paternal line we find Samuel Russell, a native of Wilmington, N.C., and the son of a man who had emigrated from Bedfordshire, England. Samuel Russell was a man of leisure, owning property from which he derived a fine income. To him was born a son, Joseph, who became a cotton merchant in his native city, and was very successful until the Civil War. Early in the beginning of the sanguinary struggle he enlisted as a Captain of the One Hundredth North Carolina Infantry, and after two years became General Quartermaster of the Atlantic Division of the Confederate forces, holding that position until the close of the war. He then went to Raleigh, took the oath of allegiance to the United States Government, and returning to Wilmington, resumed business. Although trade was not so brisk as it had been before the war, Mr. Russell was successful and became possessed of abundant means. He laid down the burdens of life in 1880, at the age of fifty years. He was a Royal Arch Mason, a Democrat, and a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church, known and honored of men throughout his life. The wife of Joseph Russell and mother of our subject was born near Albany, N. Y., and bore the maiden name of Mary Baker. She is a daughter of Clark and Lucina (Welsh) Baker, who are still living, at a ripe old age, at Five Mile Grove, Will County. She was reared in her native county, educated in Albany, and graduated from the Albany Female Academy, leaving her Alma Mater with a rarely cultured mind. She followed the profession of teaching until her marriage, devoting herself principally to the French language and traveling considerably both in the North and South. Since her husband's death she has generally spent her summers in Northern Illinois, but she is at present traveling in France, doing the European Continent for the first time. She is the mother of three children—M. Elizabeth, who lives with our subject; Heman R., of this notice; and Lucina, who died in childhood. Mrs. Russell is of the Presbyterian faith. Grandfather Baker was born in Hoosic, Rensselaer County, N.Y., March 3, 1796, and during his early years taught school in the winter and worked on the farm in summer. After having spent several years in this way, he became a surveyor, following that calling for a great many years. He finally purchased a farm and gave his attention to agriculture. When eighteen years old he enlisted in the State Militia and in 1814 was called out and served three weeks in the second struggle for freedom from British tyranny. In 1843 he made his first trip to Cook County, Ill., to look after some mortgages, and several subsequent trips were made necessary by his business. Some land at Five Mile Grove finally came into his possession through an unredeemed mortgage, and in 1850 he brought his family thither. He has been extremely successful as a farmer and stockman, and now owns some twelve hundred acres of land, well improved and managed. He is well known as the oldest man in the county and one of its largest farmers, as well as a very early settler in his township. He has served as Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, and gives his support to the Democratic party. Grandmother Baker was born in Mayfield, N.Y., August 28, 1806, and is a daughter of George W. Welsh, who was born in Ireland and was a prominent and wealthy merchant in Albany, his residence being in Cambridge, Washington County. Mr. Russell, of whom we write, has the blood of a Revolutionary soldier in his veins—one of his ancestors having fought against the British, although himself of English birth, and having also sent three of his sons into the army. One of these was J. Baker, the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Rhode Island, became an early settler of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and attained to prominence there. Heman Russell was born in Wilmington, N. C., July 17, 1862, and amid the most favorable auspices grew to manhood. He was educated in his native city, being graduated when eighteen years old from the Tileston Normal Institute. Among his mental accomplishments is a good knowledge of the French tongue. During one of his vacations in his early manhood he became a clerk in order to learn the mercantile business, but not finding it to his taste, gave it up, choosing to devote himself to farming, for which he had always had a liking. Prior to his eighteenth year he had spent several summers with his grandfather Baker at Five Mile Grove, in this State, and after his father's death he made his home there, gaining from his grandparent a thorough knowledge of agriculture. In 1886 Mr. Russell rented a small piece of land from his grandfather and the next year became the owner of the estate on which he now lives and has made such fine improvements. His residence was erected at a cost of $4,000, and already in less than three years, other buildings mark the estate. The owner operates two hundred and forty acres altogether, keeping four teams constantly employed. He is unmarried, but his home is presided over by by his sister, whose intelligence and culture help to draw around them a pleasant circle of acquaintances. Mr. Russell is serving his second year as Justice of the Peace and has the honor of being the youngest Squire in the county. As Township School Trustee, he is acting for the second time, and the interests of education are safe in his hands. He belongs to Lodge No. 640, I. 0. O. F., at Wilton Center. Following the example and teaching of his father and other ancestors, he is a stanch Democrat. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/russell1432nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 7.8 Kb