John Russell (Ohio politician)

John Russell was a Republican politician who was appointed Ohio Secretary of State from 1868-1869.

John Russell
17th Ohio Secretary of State
In office
January, 1868 – January, 1869
Appointed byRutherford B. Hayes
Preceded byWilliam Henry Smith
Succeeded byIsaac R. Sherwood
Personal details
Born(1827-09-22)September 22, 1827
Champaign County, Ohio
DiedDecember 16, 1869(1869-12-16) (aged 42)
Urbana, Ohio
Resting placeOak Dale Cemetery, Urbana
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Margaret Russell
Alma materOhio Wesleyan University

John Russell was from Champaign County, Ohio. He was chief clerk in the office of Ohio Secretary of State William Henry Smith. Smith resigned the office January 14, 1868. John Russell was appointed by Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to replace him.[1] Later that year, at the State Republican Convention, Russell came in fourth of four candidates for the nomination on the first ballot, and withdrew.[2]

Biography

John Russell was born September 22, 1827 in Concord Township, Champaign County, Ohio to John and Mary Russell, farmers who were originally from Virginia. He taught school and saved his money to enroll in Ohio Wesleyan University in 1849, from which he graduated. He returned home to marry Margaret M. Russell, (no relation).[3]

In 1854, Russell was elected Clerk of Courts in his county. He served three terms for a total of nine years. He was then appointed to Smith's staff, and then appointed by Rutherford B. Hayes as Ohio Secretary of State.[3]

After his term expired, Russell returned to Urbana and worked in the office of the Collector of Internal Revenue. Russell was nominated and elected to the Ohio State Senate in the fall of 1869, but was struck down by stroke and died December 16, 1869, before he could take his seat. Governor Hayes spoke at his funeral in Urbana.[3] He was buried at Oak Dale Cemetery in Urbana.[4]

Russell joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at a young age.[3]

Notes
  1. Smith 1898 : 244
  2. Smith 1898 : 247
  3. Champaign County : 686
  4. John Russell at Find a Grave
gollark: Shame it's not a paper.
gollark: Hu'h.
gollark: It's a shame mageia xenos can't teleport like their description says.
gollark: It's not hard to ensure you get a breeding pair without that.
gollark: Why pinks?

References
  • Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company.
  • The History of Champaign county, Ohio: ... Chicago: W H Beers. 1881.
Political offices
Preceded by
William Henry Smith		 Secretary of State of Ohio
1868–1869		 Succeeded by
Isaac R. Sherwood
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