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| Among the prominent and honored pioneers of Oceana, was Josiah Russell, father of the present circuit judge, who was born in Maine, in 1802, and died at his son's residence in 1875. He settled at an early day in Montcalm County, where, as County Judge, he opened the first court of record. In 1856 he was induced, by the report of a rich lead mine, to come to this county, and finding what was of more value than a lead mine - a rich agricultural county - he located on the west half of the section on which Hart village now stands, but on account of the death and sickness of his son, George, it reverted to the Government. Judge Josiah Russell located much of the land for actual settlers, and, being a man of energy and capacity, he was elected to many offices of public trust, such as supervisor, county surveyor, judge of probate, and state senator. His family moved to the county in March, 1858, although the judge himself was here some years previously. He was a warm advocate of Hart for county seat, and his influence was a powerful factor in deciding the question. |