James McGrady Russell

James M. Russell, one of the well-to-do farmers and merchants of Washington

County, Ark., and a native of the county in which be 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 1862 be 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 his arm was amputated above the elbow. Aft.er 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 0f 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 dlling 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.