My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Alexander Russell, a man well known in public life, and one of the leading planters in Saline County, was born in Orange County, N. C., near Chapel Hill, in 1832, and is a son of William and Jane (Thompson) Russell, both natives of the same county and State, the father having been born in 1809 and the mother in 1797. The parents were married in the year 1831, and resided in their native place until 1848, when they came by wagon to Saline County, Ark., the trip taking two months. They settled on a small improved farm in Bryant Township, where they resided until the mother’s death in 1882, when the father then went to live with his children, with whom he remained until his death on May 27, 1889. Both parents were members of the Methodist Church, and devout Christian people. The mother, although somewhat of an invalid all her life, never took a spoonful of medicine from a physician, and in her old age could read fine print without glasses and thread a cambric needle. She died at the age of eighty-five years, and during her life was a model housekeeper. Her father, the Hon. John Thompson, of North Carolina, was one of the distinguished men of that State, and served several terms in the legislature. He was well known throughout the South, and was one of the most prominent men in public life in that section. By occupation he was a farmer and miller, and was very successful in those callings. The paternal grandfather, John Russell, was a native of Ireland, and a weaver by trade, who left his country from persecution. He took part in the Revolutionary War, and after that event moved to the State of North Carolina and settled in Orange County, where he resided all his life. His son, William Russell, previously mentioned, was an active and enterprising citizen of Saline County after his arrival in Arkansas, and a well-known figure in political circles, but never aspired to public office. He was a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., and stood high in Masonic circles. His wife had been previously married, her first husband having been Mr. George Johnston, by whom she had three sons and one daughter. Alex. Russell was one of four children born to the second marriage, of whom three were girls, and two yet living. He received a fair education in the log-cabin schools of his birthplace, and by self-tuition acquired a good mastery over the English branches. He was married in Saline County in the year 1850 to Sarah, daughter of John and Nancy Nelson, of North Carolina, by whom he has had eight children, all sons, and four yet living: Henry Bascom (a successful farmer, also engaged in merchandising), John A. (a well-known lumberman), Ezekiel and James (twins, and both teachers.). All of them received the best of educations, and the last two at the State University. During the Civil War Mr. Russell enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Arkansas Infantry, and after about two months’ service ill-health forced him to leave. Upon recovering he joined Company E, Second Arkansas Infantry, and operated in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, taking part in the principal battles in those States. He held the rank of lieutenant, but commanded the company almost the entire time. After reaching home in 1874 his party elected him to the legislature, and during his term of two years was chairman of several select committees, viz.: On claims, county lines and circuit courts, and was also a member of the Agricultural Committee and Committee on Elections and Insurance. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan in 1856. He is an influential man with his party, and a stanch supporter of its men and principles. Mr. Russell is one of the most active citizens in the county in furthering its development. He has twice been a delegate to the State Agricultural association, and for one year was its vice-president. In 1877 he was appointed by the Governor as a delegate to the cotton convention in Georgia, but owing to sickness was unable to attend. During the war he lost almost his entire property and in fact everything he possessed, but since that time he has again built up his fortune in that manner that excites the admiration of every one, and now owns, besides his other interests, 300 acres of fertile land, with 100 acres under cultivation.