Judge Theodore P. Russell
Judge Theodore P. Russell, a prominent farmer of Arcadia Township, was born in Connecticut in 1820. A sketch of his parent, Col. Cyrus and Rebecca P. (Pease) Russell, appears in the sketch of Cyrus Russell. The grandfather Russell was a soldier during the Revolution. The family are of English origin. The subject of this sketch was eighteen years of age when the family settled in Southeast Missouri, and lived on the old homestead (now known as Russellville) until twenty-six years of age. At that time he was married, and settled in the timber on part of the old place, and cleared about 200 acres, of which he now has 132 acres under cultivation. About that time he was elected justice of the peace and served for eight years, and in 1860 was elected to the office of treasurer, but resigned in the following year to enlist in Company C, Sixty-eighth Missouri Militia, under Col. James Lindsey. After a month’s encampment they were disbanded, but subject to government call at any time. They fought at Pilot Knob, and the first skirmish was on the Russellville farm. Since the war he has held the office of county and probate judge, being first appointed by the Governor, and afterward elected for a term of six years. For eleven years he had charge of seventy miles of highway as road overseer, and kept it in fine condition. His wife was formerly Miss Emily W. Guild, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1827. They were married in Pike County, Ill., her home. Twelve children have been born to them, of whom are living Charles W., Claudius C., Emily A., Maria A., Eliza E., John F., Nora A., and Alfred G. Those deceased are L. Kipp, Frederick P., William A. and Theodore. Those of the family interested in political and social questions are strong Prohibitionists.