Bio of Smith, Russell M. (b.1833) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Smith, Russell M. (page 506), in former years a well known pilot on the
upper Mississippi river, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., November 17, 1833,
and grew to manhood in that locality, acquiring his education in the
common school. When a young man he found occupation on the Lakes and in
time became a captain, being there employed for some years. In 1859 he
came to Read's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., and for a number of years
thereafter was engaged as a "floating pilot," bringing lumber cribs down
the Chippewa river to the Mississippi. For some years he operated the
steamer Alvira, which was the first boat to take a raft from La Crosse and
the second to take a boat from Read's Landing. He was also pilot of the
steamer Union when it took the first raft from Read's Landing. Captain
Smith was engaged in river work up to the time of his death, which
occurred at his home at Read's Landing, April 7, 1890. He was a man of
good reputation as pilot, neighbor, and citizen, and in his home a model
husband and father. Politically he was a Democrat. At the time of his
death he owned a nice residence and other property at Read's Landing.
Capt. R. M. Smith was married at Nauvoo, Ill., May 14, 1861, by Joseph
Smith, then justice of the peace and later head of the Church of Latter
Day Saints, to Laura E. Allen. Mrs. Smith survived her husband nearly 18
years, passing away at her home at Read's Landing, January 18, 1918. They
were the parents of seven children: Maria Minnesota, born September 19,
1862, who is now Mrs. G. G. Tuttle of Tacoma, Wash.; Allan Rufus, born
November 16, 1865, who died September 19, 1875; Russell Ninevah, born
February 12, 1869, now residing at Alma, Wis.; Missouri M., born August 4,
1871, who was married March 4, 1890 to E. L. Hustleby of Read's Landing;
Harry Hendricks, born November 13, 1876, who was married July 18, 1906, to
Margaret Tarnutzer, and resides at Read's Landing; Laura Elizabeth, born
October 30, 1879, who was married December 25, 1897, to Homer Thompson of
Minneapolis, Minn., and Jessie Lucinda, born February 9, 1885, who was
married to John Westling of Minneapolis.