Bio of MARFIELD, John Russell (b.1867), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 605-606
JOHN RUSSELL MARFIELD
For over thirty years the name of Marfield has been a prominent one in
con­nection with the development of the grain industry in Minnesota, and John
Russell Marfleld is ably sustaining the reputation of the family in this
connection, being one of the largest grain operators in the Northwest. He was
born in Chillicothe, Ohio, October 29, 1867, and his parents, Otho L. and Agnes
E. (McMurdy) Marfield, moved from that city to Winona, Minnesota, in 1880. There
Mr. Marfield acquired his preparatory education, attending the public schools
until he was about seventeen years of age. His initial business experience was
gained with H. J. O'Neil, a well known grain dealer of Winona, Minnesota, in
whose service he remained from 1884 until 1889. He then entered the University
of Michigan but left that insti­tution before completing his course and became
associated with his father in the grain business as a member of the firm of O.
L. Marfield & Company. This association was maintained until the death of the
founder of the business in 1896, but four years previous to that time the firm
style of the Marfield Elevator Company had been adopted, and in 1896 the concern
was reorganized with John R. Marfield as president and manager. Under his
guidance the business expanded and was continued successfully until 1902, when
the owners disposed of all of their interests in the concern to the Western
Elevator Company of Winona. Mr. Marfield came to Minneapolis to live in
September, 1902, and purchased the interest of the senior partner in the
Brooks-Griffiths Company, which was continued under that name until 1903, when
the style was changed to that of the Marfield-Griffiths Company. That title was
retained until August, 1906, when a reorganization was effected, and the firm
then became known as Marfield, Tearse & Noyes, being operated under that name
until the present style of the Marfield Grain Company was adopted. Mr. Marfield
is president and treasurer of the organization, and a business of extensive
proportions stands as a monument to his initiative spirit and close application
to business, while the methods which he has employed have ever balanced up with
the principles of truth and honor. He received his training in the grain
business from his father and in the management of his interests displays the
same notable administrative ability which ever characterized the latter in the
conduct of his affairs. The Marfield Grain Company ranks with the large grain
operators in Minneapolis. Mr. Marfield's interests are not confined to the grain
trade, for he is a director of the Minneapolis Fire & Marine Insurance Company
of Minneapolis and is a director of the Midland National Bank, and has other
minor connections.
In 1892 Mr. Marfield was united in marriage to Miss Helen Horton, a daughter of
Charles Horton, a prominent lumberman of Winona, and they have become the
parents of three children: Katharine, John Horton and Marcella Russell Marfield.
The family attends St. Paul's Episcopal church of this city and Mr. Marfield is
its junior warden. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare
and ad­vancement of his city and has served as director and president of the
Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Minneapolis and Lafayette Clubs and
served as governor and president of the Minikahda Club. In his business career
he has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker, keeping his hand
steadily upon the helm of his interests and manifesting at all times strong
administrative powers. His entire life has been devoted to the grain industry,
which has played so important a part in the development of the Northwest, and he
has gained that position of leadership which follows concentrated effort.