Benjamin E. Russell Explained

State1:Georgia
District1:2nd
Term Start1:March 4, 1893
Term End1:March 3, 1897
Preceded1:Henry G. Turner
Succeeded1:James M. Griggs
Party:Democrat
Birth Place:Monticello, Florida
Birth Date:5 October 1845
Death Place:Bainbridge, Georgia
Occupation:businessman, editor

Benjamin Edward Russell (October 5, 1845 – December 4, 1909) was a U.S. Representative from Georgia, cousin of Rienzi Melville Johnston.

Biography

Born in Monticello, Florida, Russell moved with his parents to Decatur County, Georgia, in 1854.

He attended the common schools. He entered the Confederate States Army as a drummer boy in the First Georgia Regiment. Upon the disbanding of this regiment, he immediately enlisted in the Eighth Florida Regiment and continued with it during the last three years of the war, with the rank of first lieutenant.

After the Civil War, he entered the printing business. He was editor of the Bainbridge (Georgia) Democrat. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1877. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1880. He served as mayor of Bainbridge in 1881 and 1882. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives in 1882 and 1883, and was postmaster of Bainbridge in 1885–1890.

Russell was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1897).

He was not a candidate for renomination in 1896. He resumed the publication of the Bainbridge Democrat. He died in Bainbridge, Georgia, December 4, 1909. He was interred in Oak City Cemetery.

References

Retrieved on 2009-03-04