My Genealogy Hound

James Russell, superintendent of the Kansas & Texas Coal Company’s Works at Huntington, was born in Scotland in 1848, and when four years of age accompanied his parents to the United States. He grew to manhood in Mercer County, Penn., received but a limited education, and until 1879 was employed in mines in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. He then passed six years in the Indian Territory as superintendent of the Osage Coal & Mining Company. He then went to Ray County, Mo., and superintended the Scullin Coal & Mining Company’s business, in which he still has an interest. He then went to Crawford County, Ark., where he was employed as assistant superintendent for the Western Coal & Mining Company, of the Missouri Pacific Railway, where he remained from May, 1887, until coming to Huntington to accept the above named position. In July, 1870, he married Jane Reid, daughter of Adam Reid, and a native of Mercer County, Penn., and now the mother of six children. Mr. Reid was born in Scotland, and in 1853 came to the United States. He engaged in mining all his life, and died in Mercer County, Penn., about 1874. Mr. Russell is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F. Encampment, and belongs to the United Workmen and Select Knights. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for Grant in 1872. His parents, Robert and Jeanette (Calderwood) Russell, were natives of Scotland. The father was a Democrat, and died at Washington, D. C., March 11, 1862, while serving his country in Company C, One Hundred and First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, aged fifty-two. The mother is now sixty-four years of age, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their oldest son, Capt. Thomas Russell, now a farmer in Leavenworth, Kas., was engaged in mining until a few years ago. He commanded Company F, Seventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, United States Army, during the war, and had charge of the miners at Vicksburg, Miss., when Fort Hill was blown up. He is a member of the G. A. R., K. of P. and the societies to which our subject belongs with the exception of the order of United Workmen. James’ youngest brother, John, succeeded him in the management of the Osage Mines, and is now superintendent for the Western Coal Company in Barton County, Mo.