The Fourteenth Judicial District consists of Mecosta, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana Counties, of which Fred J. Russell is judge. He was born at Orion, Oakland Co., Mich., October 7, 1841, and at the age of sixteen he went with his parents into the then wilderness of Oceana County. He attended district and graded schools, and spent two terms, 1860-1, at the state normal school. August 8, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, but, owing to physical disability, he was not mustered in. He was admitted to the bar at Hart, September 20, 1866, where he at once commenced the practice of law. In June, 1868, he was admitted to practice in the United States courts, and was appointed United States commissioner for the western district of Michigan; was elected circuit court commissioner in 1868, and re-elected in 1870; was appointed judge of probate for Oceana County in 1872, and twice elected to that position. He received his present appointment from Gov. Jerome, January 5, 1881, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of M. D. Brown.
Probably no judge now on the bench in Michigan had more difficulties to contend with in securing an education than Judge Russell. The meagre facilities afforded by a new county, infirmities of body, and long and serious illness, all combined to discourgae him, but by improving every available moment, and by attending school Summers and teaching Winters he succeeded in fitting himself to fill with credit the several positions to which he had been called. He was been a prominent Republican ever since he arrived at manhood. In additional to his professional duties, he is also interested in agricultural pursuits and banking. He married Nellie C., daughter of Zenas and Siphrona Gurney, and has three daughters, Nellie H., Lucy Hayes and Mary.
|
