Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 831

JAMES E. RUSSELL, the subject of this sketch, is engaged in the grocery business at No. 311 North Main street, in the city of Wichita, and is one of the firm of Russell Bros., where they are doing a lucrative business in their line.

            Mr. Russell was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 10, 1844, and when a lad nine years of age removed with his father's family, first to Beaver County, Pa., and thence, in 1855, to Livingston County, Ill. In the latter county he resided until 1863, when they all came to Kansas, and located in Osage County, and in 1874 came to Sedgwick County, where they are still living.

            Col. John Russell, the father of our subject, was a native of Scotland, and after becoming a resident of the Quaker City was employed as a manufacturer. He married, in early manhood, Miss Jennie Allen, and they became the parents of eleven children. James E., of our sketch, received a common-school education, and began his first lessons in agriculture on the soil of his native State. After coming to Kansas he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie A., daughter of John B. and Lizzie (Beaver) Jones, the wedding taking place in 1869, at the home of the bride in Shawnee, this State.

            Mrs. Russell was born in Muncie, Lycoming Co., Pa., Oct. 23, 1850, and came with her parents to Kansas in 1868. Her mother died in Shawnee County, in 1882. The father is still living, and engaged in farming there. Mr. and Mrs. R. have four children, namely: Jennie, Mary, Corena and Nevin.

            Mr. Russell, in 1870, purchased a stock of general merchandise, and was engaged in trade at Coyville for a period of four years, but since that time he has devoted his attention to farming up to January, 1888, when he engaged in his present business. He is a Republican politically, and socially, a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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