Biographical Sketch of Francis M. Russell, Laclede County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, 
Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing
Company, 1889.
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Francis M. Russell, one of the most prominent citizens of Union town-
ship, Laclede county, Mo., was born near his present place of residence
on the Osage Fork, in what was then Pulaski county, Mo., August 18, 
1839.  He is the son of Jeremiah and Celia (Wade) Russell, natives of
Warren county, Ky.  The father was born in 1803, and died in Laclede
county, Mo., February 23, 1880.  He was a successful farmer and merch-
ant, selling goods at Jericho for ten years and was postmaster at that
place.  The mother was born in 1809, and died in Laclede county, Mo.,
May 10, 1876.  They were married in Kentucky, and afterward moved to
Illinois, where they resided ten years, or until March, 1837, when they
moved to the neighborhood in which or subject now lives.  He was a 
Democrat in politics, and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.  To
their marriage were born eleven children, five now living: George W.,
W. R., Francis M., Theresa, wife of G. W. Steen; and Mary, wife of 
Capt. E. McMahan.  Francis M. Russell received his education in the
country schools, and finished at the academy at Lebanon.  He then 
assisted his father in the mercantile business until the opening of the
late war, when he enlisted in Capt. Campbell's company of Missouri 
State Guards, but was afterward in Woods' battalion, Confederate ser-
vice, Capt. Wickersham's company, which was organized for Capt. Wicker-
sham by Mr. Russell, who came through the Federal lines to organize the
company.  He was not with the command any length of time, he being a
scout, and rendering valuable work for the Confederacy.  He was in the
battle of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Price's raid, and was twice taken
prisoner, first by Col. Woods, near Mr. Russell's home, and taken to
Lebanon, where he was retained about three months in 1863.  The second
time he was taken prisoner by Capt. Robert Butts, and was six days in
prison at Springfield, when he escaped.  His scouting was done from
White River in Arkansas to north of where he now lives.  His experience
during the war was varied as well as dangerous.  When the war cloud of 
battle had cleared away Mr. Russell went to Louisiana, and April 7,
1867, married Miss Nannie Daniel, a native of Shelby county, Tenn.,
born October 22, 1847, and the daughter of M. E. Daniel.  Soon after
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Russell moved to Texas, but afterward moved
back to Louisiana.  In 1871 they moved to Laclede county, Mo., where 
they have since resided, his occupation being that of a farmer and 
stock dealer.  He has been south and west with mules since coming back
to Missouri; has perhaps handled more mules than any one man in South-
west Missouri, and during the time has bought over $500,000 worth of
mules alone.  As a trader he has been very successful.  In 1880 and 
1881 he was engaged in merchandising at Conway, but was burned out, and
did not again resume the business.  Mr. Russell is now the owner of
500 acres of excellent land in Laclede county, Mo., it being considered
the best stock farm in the county.  His farm is about three and a half
miles southeast of Conway, on the Hartville and Buffalo road.  He is a
Mason, a K. T., is a member of the A. O. U. W., a member of the Wheel,
and is a Democrat in politics.  To his marriage were born six children:
Mary Ella, Florence Leona, Ida Lee, Emma Josephine, Jeremiah Edwin and
Clara.

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