John Henry Russell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1662 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN HENRY RUSSELL, a representative citizen of Lawrence county, 
South Dakota, was born in Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio, December 10, 
1853. His father, Solomon Norton Russell, a contractor and builder, and 
his mother, Sarah (Brown) Russell, were both natives of the Buckeye 
state and for many years residents of the city of Fremont. Of the early 
life and youthful experiences of John H. Russell little need be said, as 
they were without event of striking note, being confined to labor in the 
summer time as soon as he was old enough to be of practical service and 
to attending the public schools of his native town during the winter 
seasons. After acquiring a fair education young Russell apprenticed 
himself to a carpenter to learn the art of building, becoming an 
efficient workman. He followed his chosen calling in Ohio until 1877, 
the meantime taking a number of important contracts in his native city 
and county and earning the reputation of a capable and reliable 
mechanic. Leaving Fremont the above year, he came to South Dakota and 
since that time has made his home in the Black Hills country. Mr. 
Russell has been an honored resident of Lawrence county since April, 
1877, and in addition to carpentry has followed various other pursuits, 
meeting with financial success at his different undertakings. 

	In 1893 Mr. Russell was elected a member of the Spearfish city 
council, in which body he served one term, and from 1897 to 1899 
inclusive he was a member of the board of county commissioners. He also 
served during the years 1895 and 1896 on the city school board, and in 
1903 was elected, on the Republican ticket, representative from Lawrence 
county to the lower house of the state legislature. Mr. Russell is one 
of the standard bearers of the Republican party in Lawrence county, and 
as such has been a potential factor in local and state politics. 

	Mr. Russell joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1881, 
and has been a member in good standing ever since, besides holding 
nearly every office within the power of the local lodge to bestow. He 
has also been prominent in the affairs of the grand lodge and at one 
time served as grand master. Since 1894 he has been identified with the 
Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has also been honored with 
important official station. 

	On the 12th day of April, 1879, in the city of Deadwood, Dakota 
territory, was solemnized the ceremony which united Mr. Russell and Miss 
Emma Sayre in the bonds of holy wedlock, a marriage blessed with five 
children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Lillian V., 
January 29, 1880 ; Howard, October 6, 1881 ; Una, July 24, 1884; Ruby 
C., August 9, 1887, and John C., who was born September 11, 1891.