Biographical Sketch of
Hon. Francis Russell
Transcribed by Sandy Boudrou
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 554 - 555 Hon. Francis Russell, one of the representative and substantial citizens of Marquette County, resides on section 22, in the town of Westfield. He is a son of Hugh and Isabel (Johnson) Russell, who were natives of County Down, Ireland. His father was born in 1796, and was reared to the occupation of farming. In 1822, he married Miss Johnson, who died on the 24th of May, 1835. The husband continued to reside in his native land until 1848, when he emigrated to America. Three years previous, his eldest son, Hance, had crossed the Atlantic and was living in Chatauqua County, N. Y. The remainder of the family accompanied their father in 1848, with the exception of Hugh, who arrived in 1849. The family located in Chatauqua County, but in the fall of 1849, two of the sons, Hance and Francis, came to Marquette County and made claims in the town of Westfield and having somewhat prepared homes, the remainder of the family arrived in 1850, Samuel excepted, but he afterward became a resident of Wisconsin. The four sons and two daughters are as follows: Hance, who settled on section 26 in the town of Westfield, Marquette County, and died in 1862, leaving a family; Francis of this sketch; Dr. Hugh, who on his arrival in the State settled in Fox Lake, Wis., but is now a resident of Huron, S. D.; Samuel, whose farm adjoins that of his brother Francis; Agnes, wife of John Bennett of the town of Westfield; and Jane who became the wife of James Lowe and died April 18, 1882. Hugh Russell, Sr., the father of this family, was again married in the town of Westfield, his second wife being Mrs. Margaret Nixon. He died Dec. 21, 1872. He was a worthy citizen and faithful Christian gentleman who was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. Francis Russell, our subject, was born in County Down, Ireland, May 11, 1825, and was about twenty-four years of age, when he became a pioneer of Marquette County. He still lives on the land which he entered on his arrival in Wisconsin, it having now been his home for forty years. He has there witnessed the growth and development of the surrounding country, has seen its wild prairies transformed into beautiful homes and farms and has taken an active part in the advancement of the agricultural interests of the community. He chose for himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Mary Hamilton, daughter of James and Jane (Bennett) Hamilton. The marriage ceremony was performed on the 23rd of February, 1860, and has been blessed with five children who are yet living--Hance H. who was born Dec. 23, 1864; James H. born Jan. 5, 1867; May Agnes, born May 31, 1872; Sarah J. born Aug. 21, 1875; and Isabel L., born Sept 3, 1880. Four children died in infancy. Like his brothers, Mr. Russell is one of the representative citizens of the community, is numbered among its practical and progressive farmers and is widely known throughout the country. He began life a poor boy, his only capital being a good constitution and a determination to succeed. He worked by the month as a farm hand in New York for a time and thus secured a few dollars, after which he came to Wisconsin. He had to contend against the hardships and disadvantages incident to pioneer life but has worked his way upward step by step until he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of the county, being the owner of a farm of 400 acres in the town of Westfield, also a fine farm in Beadle County, S. D. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been honored with many official positions, including that of Representative in the General Assembly in 1868. He has ever proved himself an able officer and one who labored to promote the best interests of town and county. He is numbered socially and financially among the leading citizens of the community where he has so long made his home.
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