California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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

ANDREW D. RUSSELL has long been one of the prominent stockmen of Southern California. His 
experience in the ranching industry of this state covers more than forty-five years, and the 
fruits won by his industry and labors enable him to live comfortably retired at Triumfo in 
Ventura County.
He was born in West Famum Township in the Province of Quebec, Canada, August 27, 1846, a 
son of Joseph H. and Mary (Ocutt) Russell. He grew up in his native province, attended public 
schools until fifteen, worked on his father's farm until of age, and then crossed the boundary 
line into the United States and for two years had charge of a retort in a chemical works at 
Manchester, New Hampshire.
After this experience he left the East and came out to California. Locating in San Luis Obispo 
County he spent four months on Judge Steele's cattle ranch. He then went into the sheep raising 
industry, and for one year received a fourth of the increase on 1,200 head. With that as a start, 
and purchasing some more sheep, he found grazing ground for his flocks in Santa Barbara 
County, and was a successful raiser and breeder of sheep in that section for ten years. Coming 
from Santa Barbara into Ventura County Mr. Russell bought 6,249 acres in the southern part of 
the county. This comprises the splendid ranch which he still owns and which now grazes 1,000 
head of cattle and also a large number of hogs and high grade horses. Of recent years Mr. 
Russell has turned the active management of the ranch over to his sons and has had leisure to 
enjoy the prosperity earned by his earlier years of hardship and hard work. He is a member of 
the Methodist Church and in politics a republican.
In San Luis Obispo County December 12, 1872, he married Abbie M. Fuller. They are the 
parents of six children : Mrs. Eleanor M. Huse of Tropico, California ; Mrs. Beatrice Cross of 
Tropico; Harvey A., thirty-four years old, who was educated in the grammar and high schools 
and is owner of a cattle ranch in Monterey County ; Joseph H., who in addition to the public 
schools attended the University of California, is now one of the managers of his father's ranch; 
Hubbard S., who is a high school graduate, is also on his father's place; Merrill Leo, who 
graduated from the University of California, is now in the cattle business at Seal Beach, 
California.