Hopkins Co., TX - Obits: Judge Thomas Jefferson Russell
*******************************************************
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by:

USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
*******************************************************

Judge Thomas Jefferson Russell, pioneer citizen of Hopkins County, died at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. O. E. Walters, on Connally Street, after a lingering
illness of months.

He had been a successful financier and had accumulated considerable property in
this and Wood County, being one of the largest land owners in the eastern part
of Hopkins County. His father, Jonathan Russell, before him, was State Senator
of Wood County, way back in the "Carpet Bag Days" after the close of the civil
war. Judge Russell followed the footsteps of his illustrious father by
faithfully representing Hopkins County in the years 1910-11. In the year 1904,
he was elected County Judge of Hopkins County and served four years, and was
the last ex-officio county superintendent of schools.

Funeral services were announced to be held at the First Baptist Church of this
city, conducted by Rev. T. A. Binford of Winnsboro, and Rev. J. Howard Williams
of this city. Interment will take place in the City cemetery. (Daily News-
Telegram, aug. 24, 1924)

Story of his life told by a friend - Thomas Jefferson Russell was born in 1857,
in Webster community in Wood County, Texas. His parents were Jonathan Russell
and Bamry Carpenter Russell, his mother having died when he was 16 year old.

His father served as Captain in the civil war and later served a noble record
in the Legislature. T. J. Russell went to school, in his early childhood, to
Webster school, and in the early manhood years he came to Sulphur Springs to
study under the instruction of Judge J. H. Dinsmore. Later he studied under the
supervision of L. D. King who was one of the best lawyers of that time. Mr.
Russell was admitted to the bar and practiced law for several years. He served
two years as Justice of the Peace at Winnsboro,, and later four years at
Pickton.

In 1883, he was married to Permelia Jane Alvis and for three years lived in
Winnsboro. They then moved four and one-half miles west of Winnsboro where they
now live. There were two children born to this union, Mrs. O. E. Walters of
this place, and Horace Russell who lives with his parents. They also raised
three children of his deceased brother, Lafayette Russell of Anson, Texas, Mrs.
R. M. Stribling of Plainview, and Watson Russell of Anson.

Mr. Russell was elected Judge of Hopkins County in 1904 and was re-elected in
1906. He was converted at age of 16 and untied with the Baptist Church at
Center Grove two years after marriage and was made deacon a few years later. He
belonged to the Masonic Lodge at Winnsboro.

He came to Sulphur Springs 12 days ago to the home of his daughter, Mrs. O. E.
Walters, to have Dr. Stirling, who is their family physician, to do what he
could for him, Mr. Russell passed away August 23, 1924. He would have been 67
years of age August 24th and will be buried on his birthday.