Representative John Russell View All Years

Senator Chapman, from the Special Committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorative of the life of the Hon. John Russell, submitted the following report and moved its adoption:

MR. PRESIDENT—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorating the life and character and public services of the Hon. John Russell, of Jones county, Iowa, respectfully submits the following:

Hon. John Russell was born in the county of Fife, Scotland, on the 8th day of October, 1821, where he received a common school education. He was very energetic in his interest in the reform wave of Great Britain and was an earnest supporter of the spirit of liberty then struggling for existence in America. On the 28th day of April, 1842, he sailed for America, settling in Columbia county, Ohio. In 1852 he moved to Jones county, Iowa, which place remained his home until his death. He was an ardent supporter of early republican principles and remained loyal to his party until his death. In 1860 he was elected supervisor of Jones county, becoming chairman of the board. In 1864 he enlisted in the civil war, serving until its close. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Thirteenth General Assemblies and was elected Speaker of the Thirteenth General Assembly. In 1871 he was elected Auditor of State and served two terms. He was elected Senator from the 24th district, serving the Eighteenth and Nineteenth General Assemblies. When Congress gave to Iowa the land grant now used by the Iowa State Agricultural College, the Hon. John Russell was elected chairman of the Board of Trustees of the college. It is through his energetic and vigorous methods that we now have the institution at Ames. It was during his administration and largely through his efforts that the law placing permanent school funds in the hands of the county and making the county liable to the State for the interest thereon, was enacted. The law for the regulation of the savings banks was also enacted during his term of office, and to him belongs a great deal of the credit for the law as it then existed.

Mr. Russell died at his home in Onslow, Jones county, October 10, 1908.

Resolved, By the Senate of the Thirty-third General Assembly, that in the death of Hon. John Russell the State mourns the loss of an efficient and honored statesman.

Be it Further Resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be printed in the Journal of the Senate and that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to send an enrolled copy to Margaret Russell at Onslow.

H. R. CHAPMAN,

Chairman.

JOHN FOLEY,

H. C. BURGESS,

Committee.

Adopted.