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GEORGE
RUSSELL
George
Russell, candidate for Governor of Nevada in 1898, drove a pack team
from Placerville, California to Virginia City in 1860. Born in
Bangor County, Ireland, April 15, 1837, he came as a boy to America in
1852 sailing via Cape Horn to California. He found jobs
freighting and mining in Placer County, but moved to Nevada to
continue freighting business. Traveling eastward he opened a
general merchandise store at Mineral Hill, Elko County (later Eureka
County) and finally established a home in Elko with his wife, Martha
A. Marchand, to rear a family. Russell, a tall, heavy set man
with short goatee, spoke in a short, clipped manner with an Irish
accent. Exceedingly ambitious, he had a will to succeed.
There were five children in the Russell family: George, Jr.,
Lyda (wife of Dr. J.R. Eby), Margaret (wife of E.R. Newman), Ruth and
Mattie.
He
entered the livestock business, operating with John R. Bradley for 25
years under the firm name Russell and Bradley. After dissolution
of the partnership Russell retained the 25 Ranch on the Humboldt River
near Battle Mountain. In need of summer range, he purchased St.
John's field west of Tuscarora and enclosed it with 40 miles of
fence. Approximately 1,000 steers were summered in St. John's
Field pasture from spring until the return trip to the 25 Ranch in the
fall. The first day of the drive they were driven to Santa Reina,
next day to the Izzenhood Ranch and the third day to the home
operation.
Purchasing
controlling interest in W. T. Smith General Merchandise Store in Elko,
Russell operated as George Russell Co. in 1909. Successful in
merchandising and president of the Russell Land and Livestock Co., in
1898 he became a candidate for Governor of Nevada on the Democratic
Ticket, but was defeated.
Mrs.
Russell died April 2, 1915 and George Russell, Sr. May 10, 1924.
Both
parents and children are entombed in the Russell mausoleum, Masonic
Cemetery, Elko. After his father's death, management of the 25
Ranch fell to George Russell, Jr. who continued operating the Russell
Land and Livestock Co. for nearly 20 years until shortly before his
death in 1943.
In
the early 1940's the W. T. Jenkins Co. of Battle Mountain purchased
the 25 Ranch holdings and upon dissolution of the W.T. Jenkins Co. in
1964, George Lincoln of Lincoln, Nebraska (town named for his family)
bought the 25 Ranch. |
Click on photos to see original high clarity digital
photographs 
