GENE JESSE RUSSELL

Gene Jesse Russell gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. December 12, 1904 in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA
D. May 1968 in Round Lake Beach, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Henry J. Russell born April 1859 in Virginia
  • Mother: Jennie (Collins) (Russell) Thorpe born about 1873 in Ohio; married (1) Henry J. Russell; married (2) William Thorpe; Jennie died in July 1932; buried in Arlington Cemetery, Cook County, IL

According to the Chicago Daily News (Chicago IL) Monday, August 1, 1932, page 24:

“THORPE – Jennie Thorpe, 1653 N. Lowell av. beloved wife of William, dear mother of Jean and Gene, fond sister of Ruth Gundlach and Sherman Collins.  resting at funeral home, 4138-40 W. North av.  Services 2 p. m. Wednesday, Aug. 3.  Interment Arlington.  Call Belmont 6812.”

  • Wife: Eleanore Irene (Steiner) Russell born July 11, 1913 in Chicago, Cook County, IL, daughter of Peter Steiner (1884-1947) and Nellie (Kelma/Keller/Kelly) Steiner (1888-1932); married Gene Jesse Russell on June 15, 1940 in Clinton County, IA; Eleanore died September 1975 (See section pertaining to Eleanore Irene (Steiner) Russell buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Siblings:
    • Jean P. “Jennie” (Russell) (Lauderdale) Majercik born February 1899 in Iowa; married Alfred W. Lauderdale on January 24, 1920 in Cook County, IL; married (2) unknown Majercik; Jean died March 4, 1967 in Cook County, IL; buried in All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Des Plaines, Cook County, IL

According to the 1905 Iowa State Census:

“Name: Jennie Russell; Birth Year: abt 1899; Birth Place: Iowa; Gender: Female; Age: 6; Marital Status: Single; Residence Year: 1905; Residence Place: Linn, Iowa, United States; Father Birth Place: Virginia; Mother Birth Place: Ohio”

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Toledo, Tama County, IA, the household members were: (NOTE: This census show Gene’s parents and sister living in Iowa before he was born)

“Henry J Russell, head, born April 1859, age 41, married for 5 years, born in Virginia, parents born in Virginia, Occupation: Editor – news paper; Jennie Russell, wife, born March 1872, age 28, married for 5 years, born in Ohio, father born in Ohio, mother born in Missouri; Jennie Russell, daughter, born February 1899, age 1, single, born in Iowa”

According to the Iowa, Births and Christenings Index, 1800-1999:

“Name: Jessie E Russell; Birth Date: 12 Dec 1904; Birth Place: Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa; Father: Henry Russell; Mother: Jennie Collins; FHL Film Number: 985983”

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Hanibal City, Mason Township, Marion County, MO, living at 134 Coleman, the household members were:

“Wm. E. Thorp, head, age 34, married twice, Years presently married: 2, born in Missouri, parents born in Missouri, occupation: carpenter – contractors; Jennie Thorp, wife, age 37, married twice, Years presently married: 2, 2 children born, 2 children living, born in Ohio, Father born in Ohio, Mother born in Indiana, occupation: seamstress – at home; Jennie E. Russel, Step daughter, age 11, single, born in Iowa, father born in Virginia, mother born in Ohio; Jessie E. Russel, Step son, age 5, single, born in Iowa, father born in Virginia, mother born in Ohio”

According to the Iowa, U.S., Marriage Records, 1880-1945:

IOWA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

“Full name of Groom: Gene Russell; Place of Residence: Chicago, Illinois; Occupation: Glass Worker; Age next birthday: 36 years; Color: White; Nationality: American; Place of Birth: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Father’s full name: Henry J. Russell; Mother’s full maiden name: Jennie Collins; Number of Groom’s marriage: 1st; Full name of Bride: Eleanor Steiner; Place of residence: Chicago, Illinois; Age next birthday: 26 years; Color: White; Nationality: American; Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois; Father’s full name: Peter Steiner; Mother’s full maiden name: Nell Kelly; Number of Bride’s marriage: 1st; Witness to marriage: Hershell Teague, Jessie Greene; I hereby certify that the above is a correct return of a marriage solemnized by me, on this 15th day of June 1940 at Clinton, Iowa; A. C. Kild? (illegible)”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Chicago City, Cook County, IL living at 1950 Humboldt Blvd, the household members were: (page 1B of the census records)

“Gene J. Russell, head, age 35, married, highest grade completed: H-2, born in Iowa, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: glass worker – reflector mfg; (page 61B of the census records)  Eleanore I. Russell, wife, age 26, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Gene Jesse Russell; Address: 1108 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, Cook County, ILL; Telephone: Chicago/Belmont 6078; Age in Years: 35; Date of Birth: Dec. 12, 1904; Place of Birth: Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Country of Citizenship: U.S.A.; Name of Person who will Always know  your Address: Mrs. Eleanore Irene Russell; Relationship of that Person: Wife; Address of That Person: 1108 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, Cook County, ILL.; Employer’s Name: Pyle-National Co.; Place of Employment: 1334 N. Kostner Ave., Chicago, Cook County, ILL.; Race: White; Height: 6′ 3 1/2″; Weight: 165; Eyes: Gray; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Dark; Signed: October 16, 1940”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 3572 Fulton, the household members were:

“Ruth Gundlach, head, age 75, widowed, born in US, was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, Was he living in this same county a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: Ireland, What is the highest grade of school that he has attended?: S8, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year (1949) how much money did his relatives in this household earn working for wages or salary?: $4,656; Gene Russell, nephew, age 36, married, born in Iowa, Occupation: Sheet Metal Work – Metal work Industrial sheet; Eleanore Russell, neice (sic), age 36, married, born in Illinois”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Thursday, June 6, 1968, page 73:

“Russell
Gene J. Russell of Round Lake Beach, Ill., beloved husband of Eleanor.  Member of Industrial Sheet Metal Workers, Local No.73.  Services Friday, June 7, 10 a. m., at MacGillis Funeral Home, 350 Goodnow boulevard, Round Lake, Ill.  Interment Fort Hill cemetery.  546-3300.”