San Diego County Biographies
 
JAMES RUSSELL

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


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