John Hooe Russel Papers, 1870-1942 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Neil Kasiak

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: John Hooe Russel Papers, 1870-1942

Extent: 2.24 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 05/30/2002

Abstract

The John Hooe Russel Papers consist primarily of correspondence and financial materials from Russel's mercantile businesses and his administrative involvement in the Huntington National Bank of Huntington, West Virginia. There are also other documents and publications that represent late 19th Century ephemera. The Correspondence Series contains personal letters between the Col. and Mrs. Caperton and the Russels, both John Hooe and Minerva Phelps, Russel's second wife and mother to Albert Lacy Russel, as well as, other letters from Russel acquaintances and family members.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

John Hooe Russel was a successful 19th Century business man and banker who married into the Phelps family of Madison County, KY not once but twice. The John Hooe Russel Papers consist of the surviving financial materials from Russel's mercantile venture with I. Erkskine Miller of Stauton, VA, and his involvement with the Huntington National Bank. The papers also include a large volume of correspondence from his personal life and other business ventures. After a three year stint in business with Miller waned, Russel moved back to Huntsville where he continued to run a grocery. In 1873 he migrated to Huntington, WV to continue his trade by opening the first Huntington grocery store. In 1875 Russel, Col. Peter Buffington and a few other investors opened the Huntington National Bank, which acted as the town's sole bank for some time. Russel also became heavily involved in real estate in the Huntington region. He eventually became the acting President of the Huntington National Bank, a position that he held until his death on 6 Jan 1903.

The John Hooe Russel Papers contain a variety of materials from his professional and home life. They also contain private correspondence from his first marriage to Nettie Phelps of Madison County Kentucky, and his second marriage to Minerva Phelps of the same. Nettie and Minerva were cousins by birth; their respective fathers being brothers. After the premature death of Nettie in November 1896 and their only son a few months later, Russel continued to maintain a close relationship with his in-laws. The connection to his widow's family (Samuel Phelps) culminated in a second marriage to a Phelps descendant, Minerva (daughter of Thomas Phelps), on 8 May 1901. They remained in Huntington until Russel's death, which left behind a distraught widow and son, Albert Lacy Russel. The Correspondence Series also contains extensive materials from Russel family members and other friends and acquaintances. Even though the collection seems incomplete, it does provide excellent context for the professional lifestyle and interests of a prominent late 19th Century Southern capitalist, banker and business man.

His papers should be considered in conjunction with the Caperton/Burnam Family Papers and other collections that were compiled by other Kentucky and West Virginia elites. In particular, An Accumulation of Family Evidence, a three volume set written by Katherine Phelps Caperton (See Caperton/Burnam Family Papers), contains a great deal of information about Russel's life and ancestry.

Collection Historical Note

Brigadier-General John Hooe Russel was born 15 Jun 1842 and he died on 6 Jan 1903. Russel married Nettie Phelps, the daughter of Samuel Phelps, in 1893. Nettie Phelps Russel passed away from illness in 1896, leaving behind a frail John Hooe Russel Jr. who followed his mother's fate some six months later. After Nettie's death, Russel continued to maintain cordial correspondence with his former Phelps in-laws. His close connections with Richmond and the Phelps family led to a 1901 marriage to Minerva Phelps, daughter of Thomas Phelps. Their only son, Albert Lacy Russel, was born in Feb 1902.

John Hooe Russel led an interesting and relatively successful life in post-Civil War America. As the story goes, Russel buried a $3,000 horde of gold on his family plantation shortly before the Civil War was in full swing [see Men of West Virginia Vol. I, (Biographical Publishing Co. Chicago, IL 1903), p. 44-5]. He came back for the gold after the war only to find his family plantation devastated by the conflict and his sister being his only surviving family member. Russel invested his horde in a successful Texas based mercantile business with I. Erkskine Miller of Staunton, VA. After three years in business with Miller, Russel moved back to his hometown where he remained for a short while. Miller and Russel would later commit to moving out west, until they met up with General Echols of Louisville, KY, Miller's father-in-law. Under Gen. Echols' advise the business partners moved to Huntington, WV, where they would have a heavy hand in establishing the town during its formative years. A group of investors, which included Col. Peter Buffington, Russel and other prominent men, eventually opened the Huntsville National Bank in 1873. By 1875, Russel had become the acting Bank President, which not only marked a high point in Russel's professional career but the appointment also made him the youngest bank president (to date) in the United States.

There are two distinct stories that involve Russel that have left a lasting impression. The first event took place in 5 Sep 1875, when the "James Gang" robbed the Huntington National Bank for roughly $10,000. Russel, after returning from a lunch break, apparently raised a possee and joined in the pursuit of the robbers into Kentucky. His efforts would remain unrewarded for sometime, however, two robbers were later apprehended, and a bulk of the stolen money and a pair of Russel's dueling pistols were recovered. Russel's reputation for being both a successful banker and man of honor grew after the robbery ordeal.

Another chain of events in 1893, well known by those in the banking industry during the time, highlight the reputation that Russel maintained throughout his life. The situation surrounded his involvement with a Cincinnati bank that the Huntington National Bank maintained an extensive depository relationship with while in operation. Russel apparently had insider information about the impending closure of The Fidelity National Bank of Cincinnati, OH. Upon discovering the troubling news Russel immediately had a draft drawn for the money owed to the Huntington Bank and raced to Ohio to resolve the situation. Once he arrived it became clear that the pending closure was fact and Russel shrewdly negotiated for full payment of the substantial debts owed. The following day the bank closed, all other depositors lost their wealth, and E. L. Harper, the Fidelity Bank Manager was in prison on criminal speculation charges.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Burnam, Caperton & Rollins

Processing Information: The John Hooe Russel Papers were found within the Caperton/Burnam Family Papers. They were consequently separated and arranged as an individual collection during reprocessing in 2014.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Calling Cards],
[Series 2: Correspondence],
[Series 3: Financials],
[Series 4: Legal],
[Series 5: Miscellaneous],
[Series 6: Ephemera/Memorabilia],
[Series 7: Photographs],
[Series 8: Oversized],
[All]

Series 7: Photographs

Box 6

Barcode: 31234014046484

Folder 1

Item 1: John Hooe Russel with Unidentified Men, 1872: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 2: John Hooe Russel: Creator: Fenner; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 3: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 4x6
Item 4: Albert Lacy Russel: 1 Year Old; Creator: Erskine; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 5: Minerva Phelps Russel, Albert Lacy Russel, 1903: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 6: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 7: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 8: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8X10
Item 9: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 10: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: Barhrach; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 11: Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Jennings, Albert Lacy Russel, 1907: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 12: Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Jennings, Albert Lacy Russel, 1907: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 13: Caroline Collier, 1933: Fiance of Albert Lacy Russel; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 14: Mallie Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7

Folder 2

Item 15: Mary Phelps: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x3
Item 16: Mary Phelps: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x4
Item 17: Catherine Bowman: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 18: Four Generations, 1894: Pictured are: Minerva Park Cobb, Sallie Cobb Phelps, Katherine Phelps Capterton, Mary James Caperton; Creator: Johnstone; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 19: ? Wallace, 1895: Creator: Matthews; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 20: Lindsay Harrison?, 1895: Creator: Proctor & Tully; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 21: Mary Bowman, 1893: Creator: Stuber; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 22: Stella Campbell Beane: Creator: Johns; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 23: Mary Hughes: 2 months, 2 weeks old; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 24: Arthur Simpson: Creator: Collins; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 25: Fred Welden, 1896: Creator: Notman; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 26: Minerva Parks Phelps, 1894: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 27: Inez De Lashmutt, 1893: Creator: G. Waldon Smith; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 28: Bessie Heldon, 1896: Creator: Notman; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 29: William James Yager, 1897: Creator: Johnston; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 30: M. DeLacy Dunlop, 1890: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 31: East View of Mount Vernon Mansion: Creator: Luke C. Dillon; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 32: Collage of Photos: Pictured are: H.B. Thoreau, Library, Statue-Minute Man, Cedars-Concord River, Home of R.W. Emerson, Wayside-Hawthorne's Home, Emeron's Study, Ralph W. Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Old North Bridge-Concord River, Monuments-Battle Ground, A. Bronson Alcott, School of Philosophy, Louisa M. Alcott, Main Street-Concord, Old Mause; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7

Folder 3

Item 33: Four Generations: Pictured are: Great-Grandma Knox, Grandma Dickinson, Maude D. Snow, Martha D. Snow; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 4x4
Item 34: Mary Dunlop Bowman, Catherine Dunlop Bowman, 1896: Creator: Ground Floor Gallery; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 35: Mary James Caperton, 1900: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 36: Cousin Georgia: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 37: Catherine Jennings, 1913: 3 1/2 Years Old; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x8
Item 38: Minerva P. Jennings, 1926: Creator: Elsner; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 39: Maude D. Snow, Martha D. Snow, 1892: Creator: Elmer Chickering; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 40: Malinda Insley Bush, 1911: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 41: Frank Jennings: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 42: Group of People, Probably Wellesley Students, 1891: Pictured are: ?, Miss Stewart, Miss Spalding, Miss Mothershead, Miss Mason, Miss Ray, Miss Squires, Miss Stevens, Miss Anry, Miss Palmer, Miss Kyle, Miss Danielson, Miss Kindall, Miss Prescott, Miss Sibley, Miss Reid, Miss Wardnel; Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 43: Art Club of Wellesley College, 1891: Pictured are: Miss Adams, Miss Sterling, Miss Spalding, Miss Keller, Miss Baldwin, Miss Nindgett, Miss Brackett. Miss Bowllen, Miss Breckinridge, Miss Helmer, Miss Lum, Miss Stewart, Miss Mover, Miss Cowles, Miss Peterson, Miss Flagg, Miss Clarke, Miss Leile, Miss Newcomb, Miss Stone, Miss Mason, Miss Phelps, Miss Whitney, Miss Oswald, Miss Hewett, Miss Bardwell, Miss Kennedy, Miss Crouch, Miss Bragg, Miss Conover, Miss Putnam, Miss Martin, Miss Evans, Miss Luther, Miss DIckenson, Miss Ferguson; Creator: Alex L. Pack; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 44: J.W. Phelps: Creator: Proctor; Physical Description: 8x10

Folder 4

Item 45: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 3x4
Item 46: Two Unidentified Women: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 3x4
Item 47: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Choate; Physical Description: 4x6
Item 48: Unidentified Man, 1895: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 4x6
Item 49: Unidentified Man: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 50: Unidentified Man, 1894: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 51: Unidentified Man, 1890: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 52: Unidentified Man, 1889: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 53: Unidentified Child: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 54: Unidentified Man: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 55: Unidentified Child: Creator: Fox; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 56: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Gunter; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 57: Unidentified Man, 1889: Creator: Speelman; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 58: Unidentified Man, 1889: Creator: Johns; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 59: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Earp; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 60: Unidentified Woman and Child: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 61: Unidentified Child: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 62: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Lacray; Physical Description: 5x8
Item 63: Unidentified Child: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 64: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 8x10

Folder 5

Item 65: Four Unidentified Women, 1892: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 3x4
Item 66: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 4x5
Item 67: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Foltz; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 68: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Foltz; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 69: Unidentified Child: Creator: Bellsmith; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 70: Unidentified Man: Creator: Chandler; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 71: Unidentified Man, 1894: Creator: Thomson; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 72: Unidentified Man, 1894: Creator: Thomson; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 73: Unidentified Man: Creator: Wilson; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 74: Unidentified Man, 1894: Creator: Dolce Hermanos; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 75: Two Unidentified Men, 1894: Creator: Proctor; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 76: Unidentified Man, 1891: Creator: Notman; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 77: Unidentified Woman, 1890: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 78: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 79: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 80: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 81: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 82: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Harris & Ewing; Physical Description: 5x8
Item 83: Unidentified Home: Creator: Partridge; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 84: Unidentified Child: Creator: Collins; Physical Description: 5x8
Item 85: Unidentified Man: Creator: Proctor; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 86: Unidentified Man, 1907: Creator: Havens; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 87: Unidentified Woman: Creator: Rasmussen; Physical Description: 8x10

Folder 6

Item 88: Bonnie Dune- The Avalon in Home Waters, 1923: Appraisal Information: boats; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 89: Bonnie Dune- A Trip to the Jetty furnishes an afternoon's fun, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 90: Bonnie Dune- A Skillful Turn, 1923: Appraisal Information: water skiing; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 91: Bonnie Dune- The Winner 1923, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 92: Bonnie Dune- Assembly in the Library, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 93: Bonnie Dune- Good Coaching Gets Results, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 94: Bonnie Dune- Real Camping, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 95: Bonnie Dune- Bringing home the new flag pole, refreshments as you go, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 96: Bonnie Dune- Waiting for gas, Out to Sea, 1923: Appraisal Information: boats; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 97: Bonnie Dune- Both masters of their art, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 98: Bonnie Dune- The Diamonds have a trip all their own, and rest a bit on the way, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 99: Bonnie Dune- We eat and sleep out of doors, 1923: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5

Folder 7

Item 100: Unidentified Child: Creator: Burgert; Physical Description: 2x3
Item 101: Unidentified Group of People: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x3
Item 102: Unidentified Home: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 103: Unidenfitied Woman: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 104: Unidentified Man, 1904: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 4x5
Item 105: Unidentified Man: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 4x5
Item 106: Unidentified Man: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 4x5
Item 107: Unidentified Man: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 108: Unidentified Woman: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 109: Unidentified Man, 1895: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 110: Unidentified Grave Monument: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x7
Item 111: Unidentified Group of Women and Children, 1905: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x5
Item 112: Unidentified Woman: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x8
Item 113: Unidentified Grave Monument: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x10
Item 114: Unidentified Man and Woman: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 115: Unidentified Man on Donkey: Appraisal Information: donkeys; Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x8

Folder 8

Item 116: Unidentified Child: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 3x5
Item 117: Unidentified Woman: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 5x10
Item 118: Dreaming Creek Heights, 1919: Photograph of a painting; Creator: Everheart; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 119: Unidentified Group of People Sitting Along Creek: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 120: Unidentified Group of People On a Porch: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 121: Unidentified Man, 1886: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 122: Unidentified Man and Woman Sitting on Steps, 1896: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 123: Unidentified Group of People on a Porch: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x12

Box 7

Barcode: 31234013922131

Folder 1: Oversize Photographs

Item 124: Catherine Jennings: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x10
Item 125: Catherine Jennings: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x12
Item 126: Unidentified Girl: Creator: Woodward; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 127: Morrison Bright III, 1942: Creator: A Metro; Physical Description: 10x12
Item 128: Unidentified Couple, 1930: Creator: McLaughey; Physical Description: 10x14
Item 129: Albert Lacy Russel: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 10x14
Item 130: Three Unidentified Girls: Creator: J. Anthony Bill; Physical Description: 10x12
Item 131: Frank Jennings, 1940: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 132: Mary Allen?, Anne? Frances Hooe Russel, 1937: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 6x8
Item 133: John Hooe Russel Jr., 1895: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 134: Caroline Russel, Mallie Russel?, Anne Russel?: Creator: Johnson; Physical Description: 10x12
Item 135: Catherine Jennings: Creator: Elliot's; Physical Description: 10x14

Folder 2: Oversize Photographs

Item 136: Home in West Virginia, 1903: Creator: Erskine; Physical Description: 10x14
Item 137: Home in West Virginia, 1894: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 10x14
Item 138: Unidentified Home: Creator: unknown; Physical Description: 10x14

Folder 3: Oversize Photographs

Item 139: John Hooe Russel and Nettie Phelps Wedding Party: Creator: Schlegel; Physical Description: 8x14
Item 140: Unidentified Group of People: Creator: Prince; Physical Description: 10x14
Item 141: Unidentified Group of People, 1891: Creator: Prince; Physical Description: 10x14