Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 36

A retired miner and business man, Mr. Russell resides on a beautiful farm, in the near vicinity of White Plains. He first saw the light of day May 16, 1829, in Grafton county. New Hampshire, his parents being Isaac and Nancy (Teuksbury) Russell. His grandfather Russell was a native of New Hampshire, and came to his death by a tree falling on him. The founders of the family came to this country from England in 1640. His father, Isaac Russell, was born in Wilton, New Hampshire, in March, 1804, and was a large farmer and sheep grower, often having over a thousand head of sheep on his farm. He sheared them and sold the wool, realizing a very handsome sum from the industry. His wife, Nancy Teuksbury, was a daughter of David Teuksbury, also a native of New Hampshire, whose ancestors were among the early settlers who came from England to the New England states.

John C. Russell moved with his parents to Vermont, where they resided for eleven years. He there attended the Thetford Academy until he was nineteen years old, when he returned to the farm and assisted his father for another year. About this time the gold excitement of California broke out, and Mr. Russell became afflicted with the fever which caused such an exodus to the coast. Accordingly, in March, 1850, he set out for the golden Eldorado going by way of the isthmus of Panama and landing in San Francisco. He at once went into the placer diggings in search of gold, and for two years enduring hardships that would have caused any but a stout heart to quail. The provisions were short, and a glass of water and one wormy cracker did service for a meal. However, as he had gone so far to secure riches, he was determined to succeed in the undertaking, and remained two years in the placer diggings, and had quite a snug sum to show for his perseverance. He then returned to his old home in Vermont, bought a large tavern and also conducted a store and town hall in the same building. He continued in this business for a number of years, and then sold out and went to McGregor, Iowa, on the Mississippi river, where he bought one hundred and seventy acres of the fertile land of the prairie state, and set about its improvement. He laid out a part of his farm in town lots, calling the place Windsow. He gave a number of the lots to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, but continued to make his home there until 1860, when he once more went westward, going to Pikes Peak and taking goods to conduct a store in the mining regions. He' went to Nevada City, where he carried on an extensive grocery business for six or more years. He was thoroughly conversant with the mining business and saw in this knowledge a chance to still further improve his own fortunes. Accordingly he returned east and engaged in the sale of mining properties for other parties. These sales ranged in amount from fifty thousand to two hundred thousand dollars, and his commissions amounted to a handsome sum. He then opened an office in the city of New York, where he handled mining stock and property. He is now retired from active business, but employs his time in looking after his various properties.

After buying his farm in Iowa, he returned to Vermont, where he was united in marriage to Miss Angeline Osgood, of East Randolph, that state, a daughter of Deacon William and Almyra Osgood. He took his bride to his western home, where they resided for ten or more years. After returning from the west Mr. Russell purchased his present residence, which was formerly known as the Bennett property. It is situated in the vicinity of White Plains and is a very desirable property, having an elegant residence and commanding a lovely view of the surrounding country. He has resided here since its purchase. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell were five in number, and four are now living, viz: Charles W., of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Henry Clay, who is with his father on the farm; Frederick M., who is chemist and assayer at Wallace, Idaho, for the Standard Silver Mining Company; and Cora M., a lecturer. Mr. Russell is a member of Nevada Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., and is a man whose rich and valued experience in life has sharpened a naturally bright intellect, making him a person of sound, discriminating judgment, and in social life an entertaining and interesting conversationalist.