Hathaway - Russell L.
Source: Biographical & Historical Record of Putnam Co IN History. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1887, p. 338 & 339
RUSSELL LORENZO
HATHAWAY was born in Berkley, Bristol County, Massachusetts, in the year
1811. His father died when he was but tow years of age. After receiving
such a education as the schools and academies of the State afforded,
under the tuition of Dr. Thomas Andros, a celebrated divine of that
State, he fitted for college, but want of pecuniary means obliged him to
abandon the idea of a collegiate education. He taught school several
years in order to maintain his own expenses, and also to help to support
his widowed mother. For one year he was principal of the Millbury
Academy, and occupied the same position at Marblehead Academy, in his
native State. At the same time he employed his spare moments in
acquainting himself with law, and at the age of twenty-five commenced
devoting his whole time to its study. He read first in the office of C.
R. Mills, at Millbury, but afterward went to Boston and read under the
tutorship of celebrated legal light, Rufus Choate, and finished with
Zachariah Eddy, of Middleborough, each of whom gave him certificates as
to his proficiency. He was admitted to the Plymouth County bar in 1840,
under a rigid examination, not having completed the full three years'
course of study required by the laws of the State. He then went to
Nantucket and remained a little more than a year acquiring a reputation
as a good lawyer. He then concluded to come West, which he did in
November, 1841, settling at once and opening an office at Greencastle
when the place was yet a small town. He immediately entered upon a good
practice, and at the time of his death enjoyed the distinction of being
the oldest practitioner at the Putnam County bar. At the time of coming
to Greencastle he met with much opposition, the here being Southerners
and disliking the Yankees, of which he was a true Puritan type, but he
lived to see those who opposed him his warmest friends. In August, 1843,
he married Miss Mary T. Wood, of Middleborough, Massachuetts, daughter
of Judge Wilkes Wood. He was never an active politician, but always had a
pronounced views on all question of importance. He was a Whig until the
formation of the Republican party, when he allied himself with that
party and continued one of its warmest supporters. He was not an office
seeker, but held several trusts by reason of their being thrust upon
him. He was a member of the common council of Greencastle in 1849, and
was the second mayor in 1850, which office he resigned because of his
distaste for the duties of his position. In 1848 he was a delegate to
the National Convention at Philadelphia which renominated Taylor for
President. He had a warm affection for Henry Clay, and made a very
active canvass during the year of that race. For a time he acted as
circuit judge in this district. More recently he was a member of the
city school board, during which time the first and third ward buildings
were erected. He was always interested in the schools of the city and
county. He was the father of six children -- Lucy W., C. Wilkes, Charles
R., Helen R., George and Ida. These are all living except Charles R.,
who died in 1879.