Marcus Russell was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1856.

He first came to Alaska in 1883 and lived in Juneau and Forty-mile, Circle and Dawson. He was a miner and prospector. He made and saved a large quantity of money in the interior before the City of Dawson
was organized.

Russell then returned to Pennsylvania where he was married in 1894 and came West again to Colorado. He invested his earnings in mining and oil stocks in that state before he returned to Alaska the second time.

He lost nearly everything and invested the remainder in property at 9th St and Calhoun St, near the Governor’s Mansion and a couple of houses that he rented out.

Russell served on the Juneau City Council for three terms and was active in many civic organizations. He died in Bakersfield, California October 20, 1926.

Pioneers of Alaska Men’s Igloo 6 Biographical Sketch

Daily Alaska Empire, October 21, 1926