My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

RUSSELL, J. BLAIN, wagon maker, Sec. 30, P.O. Rockbridge, was born in Greene Co., Pa., Oct. 17, 1832, was the first son of a family of seven children, born of Henry and Jane Russell, they are of Irish descent on the side of the Blains, and on the Russell side of the Anglo Saxon. His parents dying when he was quite young, he was thrown upon his own resources, and up to the time he became 21 years was engaged at farming and doing such work as he could obtain. He then bid adieu to the “Keystone” State and came West, and was first engaged at work on the Great Western Railroad as section hand, at which he continued until 1865, when he left Oakley, where he was then living, moved to Cerro Gordo, remained there until 1870, during which time he was engaged at wagon making and carpentering, when in August, 1876, he came to Greene County, and in March, 1877, came to Rockbridge, and began the business in which he is now engaged. Mr. Russell had six brothers who were in the service, one of them was in the C. S. service. March 22, 1855, was married to Sarah A. Erars, born June, 1833. They have had six children, but one now living, Norton, born April 12, 1858. His wife died Sept. 22, 1872, since which time he has remained single.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.