Benjamin E. Russell
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Edward Russell was a U.S. Representative
from Georgia
, cousin of Rienzi Melville Johnston
.
, Russell moved with his parents to Decatur County, Georgia
, in 1854.
He attended the common schools. He entered the Confederate States Army
as a drummer boy in the First Georgia Regiment. Upon the disbanding of this regiment, he immediately enlisted in the Eighth Florida Regiment and continued with it during the last three years of the war, with the rank of first lieutenant.
After the Civil War
, he entered the printing business. He was editor of the Bainbridge (Georgia) Democrat. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention
in 1877. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention
in 1880. He served as mayor
of Bainbridge
in 1881 and 1882. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives
in 1882 and 1883, and was postmaster
of Bainbridge 1885-1890.
Russell was elected as a Democrat
to the Fifty-third
and Fifty-fourth
Congresses (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1897).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1896. He resumed the publication of the Bainbridge Democrat. He died in Bainbridge, Georgia
, December 4, 1909. He was interred in Oak City Cemetery.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, cousin of Rienzi Melville Johnston
Rienzi Melville Johnston
Rienzi Melville Johnston was an American newspaperman and Democratic Party politician from Houston, Texas...
.
Biography
Born in Monticello, FloridaMonticello, Florida
Monticello is a city in Jefferson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,533 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 2,572. It is the county seat of Jefferson County...
, Russell moved with his parents to Decatur County, Georgia
Decatur County, Georgia
Decatur County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 28,240. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 28,544. The county seat is Bainbridge.-History:...
, in 1854.
He attended the common schools. He entered the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
as a drummer boy in the First Georgia Regiment. Upon the disbanding of this regiment, he immediately enlisted in the Eighth Florida Regiment and continued with it during the last three years of the war, with the rank of first lieutenant.
After the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he entered the printing business. He was editor of the Bainbridge (Georgia) Democrat. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention
Constitutional convention (political meeting)
A constitutional convention is now a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution...
in 1877. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in 1880. He served as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Bainbridge
Bainbridge, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,722 people, 4,444 households, and 3,013 families residing in the city. The population density was 255.6/km² . There were 5,051 housing units at an average density of 285.2 per square mile...
in 1881 and 1882. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
in 1882 and 1883, and was postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
of Bainbridge 1885-1890.
Russell was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the Fifty-third
53rd United States Congress
The Fifty-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1893 to March 4, 1895, during the fifth and sixth...
and Fifty-fourth
54th United States Congress
- House of Representatives :-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Adlai E. Stevenson * President pro tempore: William P. Frye - Majority leadership :* Republican Conference Chairman: John Sherman- Minority leadership :...
Congresses (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1897).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1896. He resumed the publication of the Bainbridge Democrat. He died in Bainbridge, Georgia
Bainbridge, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,722 people, 4,444 households, and 3,013 families residing in the city. The population density was 255.6/km² . There were 5,051 housing units at an average density of 285.2 per square mile...
, December 4, 1909. He was interred in Oak City Cemetery.