John Wiley Russell

  General Notes:

Biographical Sketch of J. W. Russell, Jefferson Township, Johnson County, Missouri,
From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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J. W. Russell, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Jefferson township and stockholder in the First National Bank of Windsor, Missouri, is one of Johnson county's most valued pioneer citizens. He was born in 1845 in North Carolina, son of William A. and Ann (Wiley) Russell, the former, a son of Alexander Russell, who died in Tennessee, to which state he had moved from North Carolina, and the latter, a daughter of William and Mary Wiley, of North Carolina. William A. Russell moved with his family to Missouri in 1868 and settled in Johnson county, where he purchased in 1870 one hundred twenty acres of land in Jefferson township and engaged in farming. To William A. and Ann (Wiley) Russell were born four children: J. W., the subject of this review; Mrs. Lou Garrett Windsor, Missouri; A. C., Windssor, Missouri; and Mrs. Elizabeth Medley deceased. In the "subscription schools" of North Carolina, J. W. Russell received his education. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1868 and recalls vividly the conditions of the country at that time. All the county south of the present town of Bowen was unfenced, sod land. Hunting and fishing were important occupations, rather than past times, in the early days. Deer, wild turkey, prairie chickens, and wild geese were to be found in abundance and the pioneer settlers were never in want of meat, though there might be a dirth of other provisions. Mr. Russell often attended in his youth the old fashioned "singing schools" which he states one can never forget if he had once been present. Clothing was all made in the home and as a boy, he often watched the making of garments from the time the wool was cut from the sheep until they were ready to wear. His father washed the sheep and the mother carded and spun the wool, after he had cut it off, and she wove and colored it, all in the home, then made the cloth into clothes. There was always much that the children could do. The shoes were made in the homes of the early pioneers, the father making them for the entire family, until later a shoemaker traveled from cabin to cabin, making shoes for all. It was difficult to provide shoes for all the family and often the little children, who were obliged to go barefooted had to remain indoors all winter. Even grown people, had to be economical with their shoes and Mr. Russell has often seen young ladies and men walk to church barefooted, carrying their shoes with them and when near the church stop to put them on. That was an excellent plant, especially if there were pools or streams to wade on the way, and it was the best way to save shoes. Among the first pioneer preachers, whom Mr. Russell remembers, were Reverend Joseph Warder, a Primitive Baptist minister, Reverend William Caldwell, a Missionary Baptist minister, and Reverend Dry. He also remembers two early day school teachers: J. H. Scott and A. W. Roberts. In 1875, J. W. Russell was united in marriage with Lillian Garrett, the daughter of James W. Garrett, who came to Johnson county, Missouri in 1843. To J. W. and Lillian (Garrett) Russell have been born three children who are now living: Mrs. Emma Myers, Bowen, Missouri; Adrian, Los Angeles, California; and Mrs. Elva Silvey, Pratt, Kansas. They built their first home in 1877 and in 1895 Mr. Russell rebuilt the residence, which is one of the beautiful homes of Johnson county a large, handsome structure of imposing appearance. The Russell place is well improved with two well constructed barns and numerous farm buildings in keeping with the well kept surroundings. Mr. Russell is a member of the Primitive Baptist church and has been clerk of the church for many years. He is also clerk of the Mt. Zion Association. J. W. Russell is a public spirited citizen and takes keen interest in civic affairs. For several terms he was justice of the peace in Johnson county. Besides his home near Bowen, Missouri, he is owner of valuable property interests in Windsor, where he is also one of the stockholders in the First National Bank. He is a man of pleasing personality, courtly manners and kindly spirit and has countless friends in Johnson county, where his home has been for almost a half century.

John married Sarah Lillian Garrett, daughter of James Washington Garrett and Ann Tandy Perry, in 1875 in Johnson Co., Missouri. (Sarah Lillian Garrett was born in Jan 1856 in Jefferson Township, Johnson Co., Missouri.)