Samuel Russell Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 414-415

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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SAMUEL RUSSELL. The fine sheet of water known as Lake Byron in the 
early days was a great attraction for the pioneer settlers, and at the 
first incoming of the land seekers the township, which now bears its 
name, was thickly settled. But few of the early settlers remain in that 
locality now, as they abandoned their farms on account of drought and 
failure of crops, and it was only by the closest economy that those who 
remained managed to live. Among the old settlers who braved the 
struggles and succeeded in gaining a good farm will be found the 
gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and a brief review 
of his life will be of interest to the readers of this volume. He 
resides on his farm of four hundred and eighty acres, in Lake Byron 
township, Beadle county. 

Mr. Russell was born in Marquette county, Wisconsin, February 23, 1861, 
the son of Samuel and Sarah J. (Hamilton) Russell, both natives of 
County Down, Ireland. They are now residents of Westfield, Wisconsin. 
Our subject and an older brother left the home farm in 1882 and went to 
Dakota together to make a home for themselves. They took four horses, 
two cows, a few farming implements and about two hundred dollars in 
money. They took farms adjoining and built a house on the line, thus 
holding both claims. They were among the first white settlers in the 
township, and together kept their bachelor home for two years, at the 
end of which time the brother tired of his country life and moved from 
the claim. Our subject worked at odd jobs for several years, and in 
1889 began farming and stock-raising on his land. Success attended his 
efforts and he is now enjoying prosperity. In 1898 he built a fine 
barn, 64x88 feet, with room for sixteen horses, one hundred and twenty-
five head of cattle and one hundred tons of hay. He has a windmill 
attached to a pump, supplying him with an abundance of good water, and 
the entire farm is well improved and shows careful management. Mr. 
Russell gives his attention wholly to his farm duties, and aside from 
possessing four hundred and eighty acres, controls about two sections 
of land. His cattle alone furnish him a handsome income, and he is now 
contemplating more extensive improvements. 

Our subject was married, in 1888, to Miss Annie Lloyd, a native of 
Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Russell have been born five children: Mabel, 
Julia, Samuel and twin infants, unnamed. Mr. Russell is a member of the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He is non-partisan in politics, but inclines 
toward the principles of the Democratic party, and opposes equal 
suffrage. He is a respected citizen and is well versed on the topics of 
the day.