Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-29
Major Horace Marvin Russell

Major Horace Marvin Russell
| One of the best known men figuring
in the affairs of magnitude of the Pacific
coast is Major Horace M. Russell This
gentleman has organized and developed
most of the successful mining enterprises
| that have made wealth and fame for
this region.
Major Russell has the determination of
| his Irish ancestors, and his charming per-
sonality is traceable, no doubt, to the
same source. The family, however, have
| been Americans for more than eighty
years, and during that period have given
an excellent account of themselves, de-
veloping a talent for business that gave
them prominence and some wealth.
Major Russell was born in jamestown,
N, T., on May 13, 1876. After leaving
school he acquired the trade of black
smith, and later enlisted as a member of
the Third Wisconsin cavalry regiment. He
could not resist the appeal of Presi-
dent Lincoln for volunteers, and his val
liant service of three and a half years
proved the metal of the boy: He was
honorably discharged at the close Of the
war, at the age Of twenty.
| War had given him the rowing fever
and soon after the end of hostilities ne
decided to "go west" Securing a team
of oxen he drove from Baraboo, Wis.
to Denver, Colo, arriving, there, in the
|
counties were the scenes of great mining
activity and it was in this region that
young Russell received his first expert
ence in mining. He made himself famil-
lar with the typographical and geological
formation of a large portion of those and
adjoining districts, and through the
knowledge thus obtained he has worked
his way up to the position of owner and
manager of several of the most valuable
mines in the country,
For many years Major Russell mined
u
various parts of New Mexico and Ari-
zona. and through his efforts the firm of
Douglas, Lacey & Co., the well known
bankers and brokers. of New York city,
west This splendid company Is now
under the direction of Major Russell, ac
lively engaged in the development and
operation of number of mining COM
panies whose field of operation extends
from Alaska to the Republic of Mexico.
In 1887, in company with business asso-
cates, Major Russell purchased what
was known as the Aurora claims in
Alamo camp, Baja California, located In
mineralized zone and of demonstrated
richness. This was the initial venture
|terests of Douglas, Lacey & Co, and the
success which has attended their connec-
tion with this valuable property, operated
under, the personal direction of Major
advice In acquiring other properties,
which have all proven mutually profit
able to all the stockholders.
Major Russell can we'll be termed
captain OF industry" He has done
much to promote the interests of South
ern California by allying himself with
many manufacturing and mining organ
izations. and by his experienced judg
lnent has helped very considerably in the
success. of many affairs of great magni.
tude. He is large stockholder and
PRESIDENT and general manager of the
Aurora CONSOLIDATED Gold Mining COM
pany at Alamo Baja California, which
has capital of S5,OOO000 He is presi-
dent and manager of the Viznaga Gold
interested as director and general man
ager in the Alamo Electric Power &
Milling company, capitalized at S,OOO,ooO
with a plant, recently completed, costing
with Loomis, Pettibone gas and West
inghouse electrical equipments The
Guggenheimers of New York are the
contractors and builders of this plant
Following the incorporation of the
Alamo mines. Douglas Lacey & Co. be-
came interested, through Major Russell.
in the oil industry of Southern California,
and have been large operators in these
fields for the past several years.
Major Russell built the Union Consoli-
dated refinery in Los Angeles. having
capital stock of $1,000, 900, and for four
years past. he has successfully filled the
position of general manager. The busi-
ness of this company has shown large
annual increase, besides proving to the
sl9le Indt tne cruue OILS ol NdllloEHid
will produce the very best grades of
kerosene, gasoline, naphtha. benzine and
all of the best grades of lubrlcating oils
Major Russell is a man with great
capacity for numerous affairs of magni-
tude He Is vice president and general
manager of the Bakersfield & Ventura
Railroad company, capitalized at nOo
md this company now has more than
twenty miles of road in successful oper-
alton.
Major Russell was associated with the
early days of the Union Pacific railroad
and the Kansas Pacific. and Is familiar
with every section of the Rocky noun
tain system, from British Columbia to
Texas, and is equally well acquainted with
the topography OF California and the en-
tire Pacific coast from British Columbia
to the Gulf of Mexico.
Socially Major Russell is great favor
ite in Los Angeles, and in all the many
IS a man of very happy vein and a
splendid raconteur. This fact has made
him a great club faVorite. and he is
much sought after by social leaders His
Irish wit and graceful courtesy are ap-
orecia BILE attributes OF his charming per-
warm personal friends, and Is blessed hy
happy home circle of admiring wife
and chlldren-Eva S. and George Keating
Major Russells elegant home at 7s
West Adams street is the scene Of many
hospitality dispensed by the genial Major
and Mrs. Russell has made their home
one OF the most delightful IN California.
II Is seldom given to any one man to
be so signallv blessed. TO he so remarkably
successful IN business life and 50 uni
yersallv admired socially as is Major
Russell.