Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
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JOHN RUSSELL
 
            For more than forty years John Russell successfully followed the 
blacksmith�s trade in Marysville, becoming widely known through his activities 
in that connection; and owing to his unabating industry and capable management 
of his business interests, he is able to spend the evening of his life in the 
enjoyment of a well-earned rest.  He is a native of England and early became 
familiar with the blacksmith�s trade, serving an apprenticeship under his 
father, with whom he became associated in business.
            Believing that better opportunities for advancement could be 
obtained in the New World, Mr. Russell came to the United States in 1871, 
locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he obtained work at his trade.  He arrived in 
Marysville in 1875, and first entered the blacksmith shop of Paul Weber.  
Michael Katzner and Tom Chase were also employed there, and on November 26, 
1878, the three men established a business of their own, forming the firm of 
Katzner, Russell & Chase.  They secured a location at the corner of Sixth and B 
Streets, the present site of the Plaza Blacksmith Shop, of which W. G. Atherton 
is the proprietor.  Their work in the early days consisted of the shoeing of 
horses and oxen and the repairing of the old prairie schooners in which the 
pioneers made the long journey across the plains.  They also made wheels and 
stage coaches and repaired the eight- and ten-horse wagons which carried freight 
to the mines.  A well-deserved reputation for skill and efficiency drew to them 
an ever increasing patronage, and in later years they did a large amount of work 
at Colgate for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.  They were the pioneer 
blacksmiths of Marysville, and Mr. Russell is the only surviving member of the 
firm.  Having accumulated a substantial competence, he sold the business about 
three years ago and is now living retired in Marysville.
            Mr. Russell married Miss Katie Hunt, who was born in Marysville, a 
daughter of Christopher and Theresa (Reila) Hunt, both natives of Germany.  The 
father was born in Baden-Baden, and came to Marysville in the early days, 
opening a bowling-alley back of the old flour mill.  For many years he engaged 
in the hotel business, operating the Spring House on Third Street, where the 
Gates Hardware Store is now located, and What Cheer House on Second Street.  The 
old home which he built on Fourth Street, between B and C, in 1860, is still 
standing, having withstood the ravages of two floods.  He belonged to the Odd 
Fellows Lodge, and his name is inseparably associated with Marysville�s pioneer 
development.  He became the father of six children, two of whom are now living, 
Katie and Charles, both of Marysville.  Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two children:  
William C., whose home is in Chico; and Mrs. M. A. Eckart, who resides in 
Oroville, Cal., and has two children.
            For forty-eight years Mr. Russell has been a resident of Marysville, 
and has lived to witness a marked transformation in its appearance, as pioneer 
conditions have been replaced by the improvements and advantages of 
civilization.  He has ever recognized the duties and obligations of life, 
discharging the former to the best of his ability and meeting the latter to the 
fullest degree; and no resident of Marysville stands higher in the esteem of his 
fellow-men.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 526-527