Russell Anniversary

Celebrating the Marriage of John Coleman Russell & Marie Angeline (Prime) Russell

“Sixty-fifth Anniversary of Wedding of Mr. & Mrs. Russell Celebrated.”  [Turlock Journal, Tue, Dec. 05, 1922, p. 1]
“In honor of the sixty-fifth wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Russell, members of the Woman’s Relief Corps and Grand Army of the Republic gave a great reception yesterday afternoon and evening in Fraternal Hall, which will long be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to be there.”

“Mrs. Russell wore an old-time costume of blue silk with a hoop-skirt and trimmed with white lace and deep fringe.  She carried a shower bouquet of roses and wore flowers in her hair.”  Mrs. Russell sang “Come Along My Johnnie” to the delight of the 150 friends. [Song originated in the civil war.  Attributed to Patrick Gilmore]

Just five years earlier in 1917 the local newspaper reported:

Names Mentioned
Mrs. Johnson
Marjorie Fewell
S.H. Colvin
Colonel T. L. Haines
Dr. G. W. Grannis
Mrs. Addie L. Haines
Mrs. Matie Moss
Mrs. Eva Fewell
J. J. Moss
W. W. Critser
G. E. Ehmey
M. M. Hall
Mrs. G. W. Grannis
G. W. Wear
Florence Porter
John Smith
J. Redick
Mrs. Elizabeth Talkington
Mrs. M. E. Holeman
Mrs. Ireland
Miss Laura Critser
Miss Helen Goodrich
Miss G. V. Saunders
Miss Celeste Ceasor

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Russell,  Happily Wedded for Sixty Years.

The December 1917 newspaper headline read Happily Wedded for Sixty Years.  Mr. and Mrs. John C. Russell celebrated the anniversary of their sixtieth wedding day.

It was noted that the groom was a Veteran of the Civil War and was once a noted hunter.  The couple had an active part in history in Turlock, California.  They were reported to be ‘hale and harty.’ 

They entertained over 300 friends at the home of their daughter Mrs. J. J. Moss [Matie (Russell) Moss.   Having lived in the city (Turlock) for twelve years.  They have established ‘an innumerable number of warm friendships.’

Mr. Russell has been “actively identified with the structural upbuilding of the city, and at the present time occupies a beautiful home which he himself erected in the highway addition to the city, and which was profusely decorated for the occasion with roses and chrysanthemums.”

“These popular people have seen Turlock grow from a small settlement to one of the most thrifty little cities in the San Joaquin valley and who have had a prominent part of the city’s development.”

Mr. Russell entertained many of his friends with “reminiscences of the early days of his life, in which he excelled as a hunter of wild game, when hundreds of elk, deer, and buffalo fell before his steady aim, not forgetting to mention the fact that he once killed three deer with a single shot.”

The Russell’s were married December 3, 1857 at Webster City, Hamilton county, Iowa.  Miss Marie A. Prime was 19 years of age, just as he was.  At the outbreak of the Civil War the groom enlisted with the Union army.  Serving three years and leaving his wife and three children.  Following the conclusion of the war Mr. and Mrs. Russell moved to the frontier, Arapahoe in southwestern Nebraska. 

Later, in 1893, they came to California, settling at Santa Ana, in the southern part of the state.  Moving to Turlock in 1907.

“Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell, of whom seven are still living.  They have twenty-four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.  One grandson, John C. Russell Jr.,  is now serving in the United States Navy as quartermaster, and reciting as ring bearer.  A pleasant feature was the singing of “Wildwood Flowers” by the bride.”  Wildwood Flower

What was once a parlor song in the 1800s, the song has been recorded many times since!  June Carter revived in the 1950’s and Joan Baez in the 70’s.  Take a listen here:  Joan Baez – Wildwood Flower [HD] 

The following program was presented and proved most enjoyable:

The 60^th anniversary yielded detailed newspaper accounts and a list of who attended and where they were from.  Also a list of gifts that were received. 

Fiftieth – Golden Anniversary

The Turlock Weekly Journal, Fri Dec 06, 1907, p. 1 headline “Turlock’s First Golden Wedding.”  Elder H. C. Beasey repeated the marriage ceremony.  Revered songs were sung by the guests.  Dinner was served and a huge golden cake with the dates 1857-1907.

After dinner a program was presented.  A song by Ellen Strager,  a recitation by Iva Bobst, Instrumentals by Verna Weaver,  Ethel Osborne.  A song by Mrs. J. C. Russell and a duet.  A lengthy list of gifts and names of those present.

Mentioned:
John C. Russell Jr.
Elder & Mrs. H. C. Basney
D. H. Prime
Mrs. S. J. Jordan
Song: Elsie Swager
Recitation: Iva Bobst
Instrumentals: Verna Weaver, Edna Bobst, Ethel Osborne, Mrs. Brown, Miss Brown

Gifts:
Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Luyster
Mr. & Mrs. A. L. McKay
Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Brown
Miss Benton
Mrs. S. H. Colvin
Edna Bobst
Mr. & Mrs. Cochran
Mrs. Ora Jordan
Mr. & Mrs. O. M. Swager
Mr. & Mrs. J. I Bobst
Mrs. Mary E. Moss
Mr. & Mrs. George Manuel
Mr. & Mrs. S. A. Moore   

Present at Fiftieth Elder & Mrs. H.C. Basney of Ceres Mrs. W. A Brown of Lemoore Miss Elva Brown of Lemoore Mrs. S. J. Jordon of Southerland, Iowa D.A. Prime of Arapahoe NE Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Moss of Lemoore John Moore of Lemoore Lehr Moore of Lemore Mr. & Mrs. A.L. Philbrick of Orange Co C. G. Russell of Los Angeles Mrs. William Crister of Wichita, KS Marvin Crister of Wichita, KS Porter Crister of Wichita, KS Miss Jessie Russell of McCook, NE Mrs. M.E. Moss Mrs. Jennie Manuel John Osborne Jr. Mr. & Mrs. O.M. Swager Mr. & Mrs. J.T. Luyster Mr. & Mrs. J. I. Bobst Edna Bobst Clinton Moon Nina Button Homer Fewell Mr. & Mrs. C. O. Fewell Gladys Lewis Verna Weaver Mr. & Mrs. Calhoun Roy Colvin Ethel Osborn Iva Bobst Frank Bobst Mr. & Mrs. F. B. Fewell Irl Fewell Mr. & Mrs. S. H. Colvin Mrs. Eli Smith Alvy Swager Harry Swager C. H. Bronaugh

News of the golden wedding anniversary spread all the way back to McCook, Nebraska where they had once lived.  [The McCook Republican, Fri, Dec 20, 1907, p1]  It seems their son W. O. Russell still lived in McCook and was of poor health.  His daughter Jessie Russell did attend.

Golden Wedding at Turlock

In a newly completed home, filled with those things which go toward making life pleasant and which add so greatly to the joy of living.  Fifty persons to pay their tribute of honor and love for a rare old couple.

It was the fiftieth anniversary of John Coleman Russell and Maria Angeline Prime who were united in the holy bonds of matrimony at Webster City, Iowa on December 3, 1857.  With children, grandchildren, brother and sisters around them, this honored couple were a half century ago, when they plighted their troth at the alter.

The Modesto Evening News, Saturday, December 7, 1907. Page 2.

A 10 x 8  photo was carefully preserved by Irma (Fewell) Rogers.   These were her great-grandparents.  She has numbered each person and made a list of names.  “1907 at their 50^th wedding anniversary.  Turlock, California.”

I hope others (and online research) can help discover the names which are not yet posted.  Hopefully I’ll have a complete list by next year – the 170 anniversary of their marriage and 120 years since the picture was taken to celebrate their 50^th.

Who took the photo? Lundquist The Photographer Turlock, Calif.  (Jacob Lundquist & Nels Lundquist)

TIMELINE

22 May 1838 John born at Butler Co., PA

21 Oct 1838 Maria born John Co., IN

1850 Census: John C. Russell, age 12, Fairfield, Bureau, Illinois.  Father William 41 and mother Sarah 34.  Isabella 7, Samuel M. 2, Sarah E. 19, Elsey A. Pelton 19.

1850 Census:  Mariah Prime, age 12, Harrison Twp, Howard, Indiana.  Father John 64 and mother Rebecca 48, Nathaniel 71, William 19, John T. 16, Mary 9, Margaret 7, Jacob 4.

03 Dec 1857 John & Maria marriage at Hamilton County, Iowa.

08 Sep 1859 son William Oscar born at Webster City, Hamilton, Iowa.

30 Mar 1860 daughter Eva Adeline born at Storey Co., Iowa.

1860 Census:  John C. Russell, age 22 Farmer at Norway, Hamilton, Iowa.  Maria 22, William O. 1, Eva J. 2/12, Elisha Hill 24.

13 Aug 1862 – 24 August 1865 Civil War – Private Company K 32nd Iowa Infantry.

1863 daughter Rebecca Sarah born at Iowa.

1865 to Arapahoe, Furnas, Nebraska, 400 acre homestead.  McCook Hotel

1867 son John Prime born at Hamilton Co., Iowa.

1869 son Warren N. born at Iowa.

1870 Census:  John G. Russell, age 32, Farmer, Webster, Hamilton, Iowa.  Maria 31, William 11, Eva 10, Sarah 7, John 4, Warren 1.

08 Aug 1871 daughter Mary J. “Matie” Isabel born at Marshalltown, Iowa.

        Jul 1873 daughter Mariah Angeline “Gold” born at Nebraska.

1880 Census:  John Russell, age 42, Farmer, Edison, Furnas, Nebraska.  Lived with Mariah  41, William O. 21, Rebecca 17, John P. 13, Mary J. 9, Mariah A. 7, Martha Coleman 85.

21 Jan 1885 adopted son Chester Guy Russell born at Indiana (born as Chester Gaul).

1885 census at Driftwood, Red Willow, Nebraska.

1890 veterans census – John C. Russel (sic), Veteran, Driftwood, Red Willow, Nebraska. 

1893 moved to Anaheim, California.

1894 California Voters Register:  Russell, John C. age 56, 5’8″ Light, Blue, Brown, Scar on forehead and l. ear.  b. PA  Lived: Buena Park.

1900 Census:   Russell, J.C. age 62, Buena Park, Orange, CA.  Living with M. A. 61, G. C. 16 and J.C. Prime Jr., 66 boarder.

1902 moved to Lemoore, California

1906 moved to Turlock, California

1910 John C. Russell, age 71 at Turlock, Stanislaus, California.  Maria A. 71.

1920 Census:  John C. Russell, age 81 at Turlock, Stanislaus, CA.  Maria A.82, Eva A. 59.

21 Jan 1923 death of John at Turlock.                                           05 Jun 1924 death of Maria at Turlock.

Nebraska History Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Western Nebraska – Google Books