Person:Joseph Russell (53)

Joseph Russell is a native of Shenandoah county, Virginia. He was born November 14, 1783, and is the third child of Joseph and Margaret Russell. Mr. Russell, father of the above, was an old settler of Virginia. His occupation was that of a farmer; and in the fall of 1800, he removed, with his family, to Hawkins county, Tennessee. They both died in that county. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the district schools of Virginia and Tennessee. While in his minority, his time was mostly spend on his father's farm. After the death of his father, he purchased the homestead. In October, 1823, he was married to Miss Jane G. Richards, of Frederick county, Va. She was the daughter of John Richards. Mr. Russell and wife had six children, two of whom are still living - one daughter the wife of Judge Powell; the other, the wife of Col. Fulkerson. Mr. Russell carried on his farm for many years, besides keeping a public house, in which business he made considerable money, and early commenced to invest in Illinois lands, mostly situated in the present limits of Jersey county. He resided in one place in Tennessee for sixty-five years. He gave his children the advantages of a good education. Struggling along, in early life, poor, he was yet enabled, by good management, to amass a comfortable fortune, though his venerable wife deserves a great deal of credit in the acquisition of their property. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1865, Mr. Russell and his wife removed to Jersey county, and are now making their home with their children. It has been Mr. Russell's privilege to have lived under every administration of this government, including that of George Washington, whom he frequently saw. Few citizens now living can remember as far back in the history of this country as this venerable old gentleman. At the advanced age of eighty-nine, he yet enjoys excellent health. [Source: http://jersey.ilgenweb.net/OS/OS-NR.htm; not an active link 3/31/2014.]

Joseph Russell purchased his late father's farm in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

Joseph Russell married Jane Richards on October 6, 1823 in Frederick County, Virginia. G. W. Kiger was a bondsman. [Source: «i»Marriages from Vogt & Kethley, 1738-1850 G929.3755992 V868fr; and from Eliza Timberlake Davis, 1771-1825 G929.3755992 D292fr«/i».]

"The East Tennessee Historical Society's Publications" #24, 1952 p. 104; Samuel Shaver: Portrait Painter: Russell, Joseph (1782-1876) of Hawkins Co., and Jerseyville, Ill. Portrait 3 by 4 feet. Owned, 1952 by Joseph Russell Fulkerson, Fulkerson Farms, Jerseyville, Ill. [Source: Betty Russell to Karen Carty in 2008.]