Benjamin Edward RUSSELL, Congress, GA (1845-1909)

RUSSELL, Benjamin Edward, (cousin of Rienzi Melville Johnston), a Representative from Georgia; born in Monticello, Jefferson County, Fla., on October 5, 1845; moved with his parents to Decatur County, Ga., in 1854; attended the common schools; entered the Confederate 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; entered the printing business; editor of the Bainbridge (Ga.) Democrat; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1877; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1880; mayor of Bainbridge in 1881 and 1882; member of the State house of representatives in 1882 and 1883; postmaster of Bainbridge 1885-1890; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1897); was not a candidate for renomination in 1896; resumed the publication of the Bainbridge Democrat; died in Bainbridge, Decatur County, Ga., December 4, 1909; interment in Oak City Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present