W. R. Russell Biography


	This biography appears on pages 673-674 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside
	a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at

	http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm


				W. R. RUSSELL. 

	W. R. Russell, serving as postmaster of Lake Andes, is well known 
and highly esteemed in that town. He was born in Wisconsin on the 21st 
of December, 1861, a son of Calvin S. and Catherine A. (Barber) 
Russell. The father was a farmer and laborer and on removing to South 
Dakota in 1877 located at Vermillion, where he subsequently engaged in 
business. He was a veteran of the Civil war. He passed away on the 10th 
of March, 1900, and his wife died in July, 1909. 

	W. R. Russell received excellent educational advantages and after 
completing a public school course entered the State University of South 
Dakota, being one of the first students of that institution. After 
leaving school he found employment in the office of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee &, St. Paul Railroad at Sioux City, Iowa, where he remained 
for three years. In 1901 he turned his attention to the nursery 
business, with which he was connected until 1906. Subsequently he took 
a claim west of the Missouri river but in 1914 he took charge of the 
Engle Hotel at Lake Andes. In April, 1915 he was appointed postmaster 
by President Wilson for a term of four years. He is discharging his 
duties efficiently and conscientiously, and his services have gained 
the commendation of the general public. He Owns property in Vermillion 
and has thoroughly identified his interests with those of South Dakota. 

	On the 29th of August, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Russell 
and Miss Ida L. Partridge, who was one of the first students of the 
State University at Vermillion and has taught in the public schools of 
Clay county for a number of years. She is a daughter of A. A. 
Partridge, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To their 
union have been born the following children: Earl P., who died at the 
age of twenty and who at the time had completed his sophomore year in 
the State University at Vermillion; L. Fay and Hazel, both of whom are 
high-school teachers: and George and W. R. Jr. both students in the 
high school. 

	Mr. Russell is a stalwart democrat in politics and has taken an 
active part in public affairs. In 1908 he served as chairman of the 
Clay county central committee and his advice is often sought on 
political matters. He is a member of the Commercial Club and does all 
in his power to promote the development of his community. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Woodmen and is popular both within and without 
that organization. Since coming to Lake Andes he has gained the 
confidence of his fellow citizens and holds not only their respect but 
also their warm regard.