History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/John Russell
JOHN RUSSELL
JOHN RUSSELL was born in the county of Fife, Scotland, October 8, 1821. He learned the trade of stone cutting when a boy and, removing to Glasgow, worked at that,occupation several years. He read all he could find relating to the United States and finally decided to emigrate to this country. He landed in New York in May, 1842, and from there went to Pittsburg where he worked at his trade until he had accumulated capital sufficient to engage in business as a proprietor of a store. In 1852 he came to Iowa and purchased a farm in Jones County, which became his permanent home. He took a deep interest in public affairs and in 1860 was chairman of the board of supervisors. In 1861 he was elected to the House of the Ninth General Assembly, was reëlected to the Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth General Assemblies and was chosen Speaker of the House for the session of 1868. In 1866 he was elected one of the trustees of the State Agricultural College and was chosen by the board chairman of the building committee. Mr. Russell served in that capacity during the erection of the main college structure and the building of houses for members of the faculty. He was also a member of the committee on organization in which capacity he rendered valuable services. He took a deep interest in the new institution and gave it the benefit of his excellent judgment in the erection of its first buildings and planning the educational course. He served in the Legislature until the close of the session of 1870, when he was elected Auditor of State. He served as Auditor four years and introduced many reforms in performance of its responsible duties. In 1879 he was elected to the State Senate, serving four years. In 1875 Mr. Russell received strong support in the Republican State Convention for Governor but when the name of Governor Kirkwood was proposed, Mr. Russell declined to be a candidate against the old “war Governor.” During his long term in the public service in various responsible positions, Mr. Russell brought to the discharge of his duties rare ability, integrity and a conscientious regard for the public welfare. He has left the impress of excellent judgment on the laws and public institutions of the times in which he served as one of the most useful and influential of Iowa lawmakers.