Russell, D. L. (Daniel Lindsay), 1845-1908

Wilmington (New Hanover Co.), N.C. planter.

Wilmington, N.C., lawyer, Confederate Army officer, Republican leader of eastern North Carolina, judge, U.S. Representative, 1879-1881, and Republican-Populist governor, 1897-1901.

Daniel Lindsay Russell (1845-1908) was a Wilmington, N.C. lawyer; Confederate Army officer; Republican leader of eastern North Carolina; judge; United States Representative, 1879-1881; and Republican-Populist governor, 1897-1901. Russell was educated by private teachers and also at the Bingham School in Orange County, N.C. He enrolled at the University of North Carolina, but when the Civil War broke out a few months later, he returned to Wilmington to raise a company. He achieved the rank of captain but was court-martialed in 1863 on charges by William M. Swann for conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline and with insubordination. As a result of subsequent escalation, Russell was sentenced to death, however, the sentence was commuted by President Jefferson Davis and in late 1864 Russell was restored to his command. After the war, Russell was admitted to the bar in North Carolina and became a Republican leader in North Carolina, holding various public offices including those mentioned above.

His wife was Sarah Amanda Sanders Russell (1844-1913), a native of Onslow County, N.C., and daugther of Isaac Newton Sanders and Caroline Burns Sanders.