Aaron R. Russell Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC 78

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, and copies of several personal reminiscences including an 1884 trip to Egypt to pilot a boat up the Nile River to relieve General Gordon's British troops and his autobiography "Memories and life of A.R. Russell" in two typed copies. One copy (14 leaves) is single spaced and fairly complete, the second copy is double-spaced (77 leaves) but is incomplete. Includes mention of his brief schooling, his first job as a steamboat pilot, working as a hired man in Missouri, his wedding, teaching Indians not to steal his wood, birth of his first daughter, boat piloting experiences on the Mississippi River and the Saskatchewan River, traveling from Winnipeg to the Northwest Territory and from Edmonton, Alberta to Lake Winnipeg.

Dates

1880-1967.

Creator

Russell, Aaron R., 1829- (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives.

Biography

Aaron Raymond Russell was born at Utica, Penn. and was early settler in Minnesota, arriving in 1850. He was employed as a steamboat pilot from 1850 to 1884 on several rivers in Minnesota and Canada, including the Red River of the North. He was also the proprietor of the Windsor Hotel, St. Paul, Minn. He died in Los Angeles, California on December 1, 1918.

Extent

9 Items (9 items.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

Native of Pennsylvania, and early settler in Minnesota, arriving in 1850. He was employed as a steamboat pilot from 1850 to 1884 on several rivers in Minnesota and Canada, including the Red River of the North. He was also the proprietor of the Windsor Hotel, St. Paul, Minn.