Descriptive Summary
Russell, Charles Arden, 1822-1878
Russell, Charles Arden,
papers
1839-1935
Materials are written in English.
7 vols.
Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The
University of Texas at Austin
Comprising seven typescript volumes
of correspondence, diary excerpts, speeches, muster rolls, deeds, account papers,
notes, and literary productions, the Charles Arden Russell Papers, 1839-1935,
document Russell’s legal and political career and his family’s social affairs.
Biographical Note
Lawyer, judge, and politician Charles Arden Russell (1822-1878) was the son of Daniel
and Sarah Sally (Hicks) Russell. Raised in New
York, he moved to Michigan in 1837 and enlisted in the U.S. Army three years later.
First stationed at Fort Monroe, Virginia, Russell transferred to Corpus Christi,
Texas, in 1845. The next year, he left the army and in 1847 married Emeline
Brightman, with whom he had eight children. The family lived in Goliad, where
Russell was tax assessor and postmaster, before moving to Helena in 1853. The next
year, he was elected Karnes County surveyor and in 1855 began practicing law. A
delegate to the Secession Convention in 1861, Russell served as a major in the
Confederate Army. Returning to Karnes County, he became county judge in 1866, before
opening a law firm in St. Mary’s around 1870.
Sources:
Connor, Seymour V.
Russell, Charles Arden.
Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed February 23, 2011.
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fru18.
Neubauer, Lucille Hollingsworth.
Charles Arden
Russell.
Daughters of the Republic of Texas: Patriot Ancestor
Album, edited by Herbert C. Banks: 242. Paducah, Ky.: Turner Publishing
Company, 1995.
Scope and Contents
Comprising seven typescript volumes of correspondence, diary excerpts, speeches,
muster rolls, deeds, account papers, notes, and literary productions, the Charles
Arden Russell Papers, 1839-1935, document Russell’s legal and political career and
his family’s social affairs. The collection discusses the genealogy and news of
family and friends, including sicknesses, deaths, marriages, and other social
happenings of the Russell, Brightman, Rogers, and Wood families. Additionally, the
volumes concern political and legislative news, the U.S. annexation of Texas, and
activities of Texas Legislature while a part of the Confederacy during the Civil
War.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research use.
Index Terms
Subjects (Persons)
Russell, Charles Arden, 1822-1878 --
Archives.
Russell family.
Brightman family.
Subjects (Organizations)
Texas. Legislature.
Places
Karnes County (Tex.) -- History --
19th century.
Karnes County (Tex.) -- Politics and
government -- 19th century.
Texas -- Annexation to the United
States.
Texas -- History -- 19th
century.
Texas -- Politics and government --
19th century.
United States -- History -- Civil War,
1861-1865.
Preferred Citation
Charles Arden Russell Papers, 1839-1935, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History,
The University of Texas at Austin.
Processing Information
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the
National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe
Center’s “History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light project,” 2009-2011.
Detailed Description of the Papers
Inventory
2R168
Papers, 1844-1923
2R169
Papers, 1839-1932