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JOEL RUSSBL. 



Joel Russel was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Jan. 

 29, 1811, being the son of Ebenezer and Sarah (Mead) 

 Russel. When about a year old his parents moved to 

 Seneca County ; lived there about five years, and then 

 moved to Tyrone, Schuyler Co. Joel being the oldest 

 of the family, and in very moderate circumstances, it 

 became his lot to be deprived of many of the advantages 

 of acquiring an education which many even in those 

 days of poor schools enjoyed. At the age of nineteen 

 he commenced life for himself by purchasing his time of 

 his father for seventy-five dollars, and working on a 

 farm by the month, and when he was twenty-four years 

 old had not only paid his father, but had saved ejiough 

 to purchase ninety acres of land in Howard, which is a 

 part of his present farm. He has constantly been 

 adding to his farm, and now is the owner of two hundred 

 and eighty-eight acres of excellent land. Thus by hon- 

 esty, integrity of purpose, and untiring perseverance he 

 has placed himself in the possession of a competency 



where he is enjoying life as much or more than others 

 reared under more favorable circumstances. Mr. Russel 

 has been a staunch Republican since the organization of 

 the party, and during the Rebellion ever by word and 

 action maintained our nation's cause. He cheerfully 

 gave his sons to his country. 



He has been twice married. Nov. 2, 1834, to Miss 

 Eleanor Dow, who was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., 

 Jan. 23, 1806, and died April 17, 1856. Dec. 6, 1856, 

 he married his present wife. Miss Sally Ann Mather, 

 who is the daughter of Colton and Anna Mather, of 

 Yates Co., N. Y., and was born Oct. 17, 1824. 



By his first marriage he had six children, viz., Lewis P. ; 

 Harrison ; Horace, who was a soldier in the 109th Regi- 

 ment New York Volunteers, and died at Beltsville, Oct. 

 27, 1862; Abram B.,who served in the 41st Regiment New 

 York Volunteers, and died at Indianapolis, Ind., June 

 18, 1865 ; Sarah Jane ; and one child who died in infancy. 

 By his second marriage one son has been born, J. W. 



