San Diego County
Biographies
JAMES RUSSELL,
was born in the city of New York, July 7, 1853, and in the year 1858 he crossed the ocean, together with his parents, to make his home in the Golden West, arriving in San Francisco in the fall of the same year. From there he moved to Stockton, where he received his education, principally in the common schools. His father being in the wholesale and retail hat business, he was employed first as clerk, and afterward, during the sickness of his father, together with an older brother, took control of the business, and assisted his father, on his recovery, to run the business. During this time his mother also became an invalid, and he took care of her until she came south to San Diego for her health. Mr. Russell and his father moved from Stockton to San Francisco, where he continued as clerk in the hat store of his father. During his life in Stockton he was known as a great fireman, never missing a fire for several years, being a member of the volunteer hose company, Eureka No. 2, and a very earnest and daring worker, always taking great interest in all tournaments given by the fire department. In San Francisco he continued to clerk for his father until 1870, when he was called to San Diego to take charge of a grocery business, formerly owned by his older brother, and also to look after his invalid mother, arriving here April 1, 1870, at which time quite an excitement was prevailing over the building of the " Toni " Scott railroad or Texas Pacific. The city was then in its infancy, most of the general, and all of the legal, business being done at Old San Diego, three miles north of Horton's addition. He then took charge of the grocery business, until times became so quiet that he gave it up, and turned his attention to the care of his invalid mother. In 1874 Mr. Russell went into the city marshal's office under Captain A. P. Knowles, then city marshal of San Diego, and there commenced his official and political career. He served as deputy during the marshal's term, and was also appointed Constable by the supervisors of San Diego County. At the expiration of said term he was elected Constable, and appointed city executive officer, also served as deputy sheriff and deputy United States Marshal. He is an ardent and straight Republican, and a great worker in politics, and is one of the most successful, if not the most, of officers in Southern California, never missing his man, no matter where he is located, a terror to evil doers generally, and is acknowledged as one of the best civil and criminal officers in San Diego County. During his experience in the different official capacities that he has filled, he established what is known as Russell's Detective and Patrol service, which has been of a great deal of benefit to the citizens and business men. He has taken charge of nearly all of the criminal cases that have transpired in the county during his service as an officer, and more particularly the murder cases, making a reputation as a detective.
During the boom times, he, like others, made quite a little money speculating. During this period he was always known as a very charitable person, giving whenever called upon, always taking an interest in all public undertakings, and always, whether at home or abroad, was a great upholder of San Diego and its future; he is well known to all officials throughout his State, and has a large correspondence from officials all over the United States.
Mr. Russell was married December 22, 1880, to Miss Ida May Bosserman, a young lady of San Diego County, who has been of great assistance to him in his detective business, being very observing and shrewd, taking charge of his business matters many times when he was absent, working up cases and running down criminals. They have one girl, Charlotte May Russell, more familiarly known as " Lottie," a bright girl of seven years, known to almost every one in the city.
Mr. Russell was nominated by the Republican party of the county of San Diego for Sheriff in the fall of 1888, and made one of the most gallant fights for his party, spending a great deal of money; and made stump speeches thirty-two times in different sections of his county, for the whole ticket from Harrison and Morton down to the last officer the ticket,—something which had not occurred for fifteen years previous, and brought against him the enemies he had made in his fourteen years' official experience,—the "mugwump " element and the jealous office-seekers who did not wish him to succeed. The fight was a bitter one, all concentrated to beat him, which was consummated by fraud. The whole of the Republican ticket was elected except him, who was beaten by a small majority. Becoming satisfied that he was beaten by fraud, he contested the election of his adversary, which has shown that there were several hundred illegal votes cast. After several weeks of continuous trial in court, and several months of hard work on the case, it was finally brought to its last issue in the Supreme Court of the State of California. He has made many friends, both in and out of his party, and is known as a straight Republican without question. He has been prominently mentioned as the next United States Marshal for the Southern District of California; and if the party wishes to remember one of its ablest workers it will certainly give him the appointment. In the meantime he is managing his detective and patrol service, and also acting as deputy United States marshal; and any one needing his assistance will find him a thorough gentleman and a No. 1 officer.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 159-161
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
L. G. BUTLER.
Two and one-half miles west of San Jacinto on that beautiful tract of mesa land, is situated the very nicely managed fruit ranch and nursery of L. G. Butler. It has the same grand scenery as other places near it, and it has a very artistic new dwelling-house and a very neat new barn. The property has a fine growth of young trees and shrubs on it, and as soon as the improvement in trees and hedges take shape it will be the equal of any place to be found in any county. Fifty acres are already planted to vines, orchard and nursery. The trees are just old enough to begin bearing the coming season. He has 2,000 Bartlett pear trees, 1,600 French prunes, 500 apricot, plum, peach and apple trees and 300 olive trees. The walk in front of the property, extending its whole length, has a double row of olive trees. He is sowing 300 acres of wheat, oats and barley this year. Mr. Butler was born in Wisconsin, February 28, 1851. His parents were George and Eliza (Schoolcraft) Butler. They had four children, the subject of this sketch being the third child. He was raised on a farm and attended the public schools in Illinois until he was eighteen years of age. He then spent two years in Iowa and then removed to Nebraska, where he owned a farm, and he engaged in farming until October, 1873, when he sold it and came to California. He settled at Orange, where he engaged in the fruit and nursery business. He sold this business and removed to the coast where he engaged in the stock business, raising cattle and horses. In 1885 he sold out and came to San Jacinto and purchased his present place. In 1872 he was married to Miss Martha E. Selby, daughter of George Selby, a native of Ohio, born in 1856. They have one boy, Chester G., born March 14, 1881, in Orange, California. Mr. Butler does nearly all the work on his place himself. He is very industrious and a good farmer. He is well informed on the fruit tree business, and his trees show it, and are fine, without a drop of irrigation. Some people who say choice fruit cannot be raised in Southern California should see this and many other similar ranches. Such men as Mr. Butler, the practical men who show what can be done, are of great value in any community, and there is room for many more.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 161
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler