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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.

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RUSSELL, J. M. farmer, Sec. 29, P.O. Carrollton, is a native of Greene County, Pa., his parents, Henry and Jane Russell, dying during his early youth, he was thus thrown out upon the cold world to battle alone. He was born Feb. 20, 1840. His mother’s maiden name was Blain. When quite young was bound out to a man by the name of Bain, who agreed to send him to school three months during the year, which part of the contract was not filled to the letter, and as a result J. M. left him at the age of 17, and set out for himself. In the Spring of 1851 he emigrated West with Bain, and after leaving him attended school a sufficient length of time to enable him to acquire a knowledge of the branches required to be taught, and then embarked as a teacher; taught one Winter term, and at the outbreak of the war was among the first to respond to the call for three months men. Enlisting in Co. I, 11th Ill. State Vol., and at the expiration of his term of enlistment returned home, taught one term, then enlisted in Co I, 91st Regt. for three years, and remained with his regiment until the close of the war, during which time he was never absent from his company, with the exception of five months, when he was on parole, having been taken prisoner at Elizabethtown, Ky. Upon his return from service he resumed teaching, and continued at the same for three years; was then married to Lucy Hardcastle, daughter of John Hardcastle. She was born in this county April 20, 1843, their marriage took place Feb. 20, 1868. Had six children: Francis W., John H., Robt. L., James B., Jane M., Thomas H. After his marriage he removed to Kansas, where he staid about six years. About this time the grasshoppers invested the country, and Mr. Russell returned March, 1875, and moved to the farm he now owns, and has since remained. He is a member of Carrollton Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and Carrollton Chapter.

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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

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