L. H. RUSS was born in Lewisburg, Tenn., March 3, 1843. His father, James Russ, was a printer and publisher. He came to Bedford County in 1847 and established a newspaper and continued to publish papers until his death in 1869. The mother was Margaret E. Laird. She died in 1857. Our subject was reared in Shelbyville and learned the printer’s trade. In 1869 he, with a brother, established the Shelbyville Commercial and published that paper one year. He then engaged in the grocery business a short time. From 1870 to 1873, he was not settled in any regular business. In 1873 he established the wagon and buggy manufactory which he yet runs. He manufactures the New South wagons, buggies, carriages, etc. He has a stock of about $6,000, and does about $12,000 annual business.
He was married in October, 1869, to Theodosia H. Hobbs, daughter of George W. and Sarah Hobbs, residents of this county. Five children have been born to this union, three of whom are now living: George H., James L. and Lucy E. Those who died were Harry L. and Thomas B. Mr. and Mrs. Russ are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mr. Russ is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. He was one of the “boys in gray,” serving in Forrest’s escort from 1863 till December, 1864, when he was captured and held a prisoner till the close of the war. He was fourth corporal of the escort.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.