My Genealogy Hound

James M. Russell, one of the well-to-do farmers and merchants of Washington County, Ark., and a native of the county in which he resides, was born on the 17th of February, 1837. His parents, J. B. and Ann (Coulter) Russell, were Tennesseeans, and came to Arkansas about 1831, locating on a farm in Washington County. Since the death of his wife, in 1865, the father has resided with his son, James M. The latter received a good practical business education in the common schools and at Cane Hill College, and assisted his father on the farm until the breaking out of the war. In 1882 he enlisted in Col. Brooks’ regiment, and at the battle of Prairie Grove lost his right arm, which was shot off by a cannon ball, just below the elbow. He was taken to the hospital, and the arm was amputated above the elbow. After receiving his discharge he returned home, and has since been engaged in tilling the soil. He has 225 acres of land, a portion of which was part of the old homestead; has 100 acres under cultivation and 175 acres fenced. He has an apple orchard of ninety acres, on which are 3,600 trees, of the Ben Davis variety, and the yield from his orchard this year amounts to 25,000 bushels of apples. He has an evaporator, and dries about 100 bushels of green fruit per day. Since 1886 he has been engaged in the mercantile business in Newton, and is doing a fair business. In July, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary Beller, a native of Hempstead County, Ark. She is a teacher of instrumental music, and is exceptionally well educated. Her children are as follows: William C., Ewert, Ola and Nona.