2nd Lt. John M. Russel

2nd Lt. John M. Russel

G Co. 12th Ill. Cav

   Mustered In Dec. 31, 1863 as a private.
   Home of record listed as Chicago, Ill's.
   Re-enlisted as a Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.  Promoted Cpl. and paid a $300 Veterans Bounty then sent home on a 30 days Veterans Furlough.
   Promoted 2nd Lt. Aug. 12, 1864.
   Transferred to E Co.  No record in E Company records this.

E Co. 12th Ill. Cav.

Post war;
   Moved to Elgin in 1880.
   Carpenter and Bridge Contractor.
   Joined GAR Veteran's Post #49 Aug. 19, 1884.
   Member Monitor Lodge of Masons.
   Listed on the 1900 Federal Census as a 59 year old from New York.  He could read and write English.  He lived in Elgin, Ill.

   Obit; March 26, 1909 issue of The Elgin Daily Courier.
   John Mead Russell died at his home, 120 Hill avenue, Thursday evening.  He had been a long and patient suffered and had been in a critical condition several weeks.  The cause of death was kidney disease.  During all of that time he had been a patient and uncomplaining sufferer, and for some time his condition was such that none but members of his immediate family were allowed to see him.  Mr. Russell was born in Steuben county, New York, where he remained until five years of age, when teh family removed to Dundee, where they resided for several years, afterwards removing to Leland, and from there to a farm near Dwight, in Livingston county.  While residing there he enlisted in the Twelfth Illinois cavalry, and by meritorious conduct and gallantry was advanced to the rank of lieutenant, and afterwards given the command of a company.
   At the close of the war he became a carpenter and bridge contractor, and removed to Elgin in 1880.  The pile bridge at Chicago street that was put in after the ferry boat disaster of 1881 was under his direction.  Soon after, he entered into partnership with the late John Kirkpatrick, and continued as a building contractor until 1886, when he became the eastern representative of F. Meyers and Sons shoe house, and traveled in the interests of the house until disabled by his last illness.  He was a member of Veteran post, G.A.R., and of Monitor lodge of Masons, he having been a member of teh order many years and being instrumental in forming the lodge at Englewood, Ill., of which he was a charger member.
   The widow resides here.  There are seven sons and daughters--Maud F., Samuel W., Charles P., David W., Mrs. P., Josephine, and Mrs. W.A. Gibson.
   The funeral will be held Sunday, at the First Congregational church, at 2:30 o'clock, and will be in charge of Monitor lodge of masons.  The members of the G.A.R. will also attend.  The burial will be at Oakwoods cemetery, Chicago.

   Buried at Oakwoods Cemetery in Chicago.

Used with permission Dan Mallett

Many members of Post #49 sewed watch faces to their ribbons to show they were from Elgin.