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Osborne Russell
Osborne Russell
Osborne Russell
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Osborne Russell (19 June 1814 – 1 May 1884) was a mountain man and politician who helped form the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. He was born in Maine.[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Osborne Russell was born 19 June 1814, in the village of Bowdoinham, Maine. He was one of nine children in the farming family of George G. and Eleanor (Power) Russell. At age 16, Russell ran away for a life at sea, but quickly gave up that career by deserting his ship at New York. Afterwards he spent three years in the employ of the Northwest Fur Trapping and Trading Company, which operated in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Russell first came to the Oregon Country in 1834 as a member of Nathaniel J. Wyeth's second expedition where Russell joined Nathaniel Wyeth's Columbia River Fishing and Trading Company expedition to the Rocky Mountains. The company was contracted to deliver $3,000 worth of supplies and trade goods to Milton Sublette and Thomas Fitzpatrick of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company for the 1834 Rendezvous. Men for this venture were recruited on the frontier at St Louis and Independence, Missouri. It was in Independence that Osborne Russell joined the company. The term of service was for eighteen months at a wage of $250.[2]

In spite of his previous experience with the Northwest Fur Trapping and Trading Company, Russell was still inexperienced in the ways of the wilderness when he joined Wyeth's company. Through his journal we see Russell develop into a seasoned veteran of the mountains and a Free Trapper. When Wyeth's party arrived at the Rendezvous at Ham's Fork of Green River, he found that the Rocky Mountain Fur Company had been dissolved and a new company formed. The new company defaulted on its contract with Wyeth, who was then left with a surplus of goods and supplies that he had transported to the mountains. By necessity, Wyeth had to alter his own plans to salvage his company from financial ruin. He and his party pushed on to the Snake River plain, (near what would become Pocatello, Idaho) where he established Fort Hall, named after one of the partners in the company, Henry Hall. Here Wyeth would trade his remaining goods with the local Indians. The fort was quickly completed, and trade with the Indians was started by the autumn of 1834. It was not until the spring of 1835 that Wyeth fielded trapping parties operating out of the fort. These trapping parties were poorly managed, and unlike many others, Russell did not desert.[2]: 8–9 

After his release from the Columbia River Fishing and Trading Company in late 1835, Russell joined with Jim Bridger's brigade of former Rocky Mountain Fur Company men. He continued with them even after the merger with the American Fur Company leaving it in complete control of the fur trade in the Rocky Mountains. With low prices, scarcity of beaver and declining demand for furs, rumors at the 1838 rendezvous indicated the American Fur Company was soon to abandon the Rocky Mountains. Russell would not attend the 1839 Rendezvous, as he had left the employ of the company to become a Free Trapper, once again operating out of Fort Hall. Fort Hall was now owned by the Hudson's Bay Company.[2]: 9, 77 

He returned to the country in 1842 with the Elijah White party. He participated in the May 2, 1843 Champoeg Meeting, voting in favor of forming a government.[1] In October of that year he was selected by the First Executive Committee to serve as the Supreme Judge for the Provisional Government of Oregon and served until May 14, 1844.[3] In 1844, he was elected to the second Executive Committee of the Provisional Government of Oregon. He was unsuccessful in his run for governor of the Provisional Government in 1845, giving his support to George Abernethy. Russell eventually went to California in 1848, after the discovery of gold there.[1][2]: 10–18 

Osborne Russell died in Placerville, California on 1 May 1884.[2]: 20 

Although not published until well after the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, Osborne's Journal of a Trapper contains an early description of Yellowstone and surrounding areas.[4][5]

Works

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  • Russell, Osborne and Aubrey L. Haines. Journal of a Trapper: In the Rocky Mountains Between 1834 and 1843; Comprising a General Description of the Country, Climate, Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, Etc, The Nature and Habits of Animals, Manners and Customs of Indians and a Complete View of the Life Led by a Hunter in those Regions ISBN 978-1542843317 ISBN 1-58976-052-2

References

[edit]
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Osborne Russell

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Osborne Russell (1814–1884) was an American and whose nine years in the from 1834 to 1843 are chronicled in his autobiographical Journal of a Trapper, providing one of the most detailed firsthand accounts of everyday life during the . Born in , Russell ran away to sea as a teenager before joining a trading and trapping expedition that led him westward, where he trapped beaver and engaged in the rugged pursuits of the frontier alongside other . His journal describes the landscape, wildlife, and challenges of , including interactions with Native American tribes and the decline of the , offering insights unmatched by many contemporaries focused more on adventure or commerce. After leaving the mountains, Russell settled in the , farmed, and entered politics, participating in the formation of the and during the 1840s.

Early Life

Birth and Family

Osborne Russell was born on June 12, 1814, in Bowdoinham, , . He was the son of George Gould Russell (1785–1830) and Eleanor Powers Russell (1790–1872), who operated a family farm. As one of nine children in this farming household, Russell experienced a rural upbringing typical of early 19th-century coastal Maine, marked by agricultural labor and proximity to maritime influences.

Initial Move Westward

At the age of sixteen in 1830, Osborne Russell left his family farm in Bowdoinham, Maine, seeking adventure beyond rural life. Dissatisfied with farm work, he briefly went to sea but found maritime life unappealing, prompting him to return and prepare for overland pursuits. By early 1834, he joined Nathaniel Wyeth's second expedition as part of the Columbia River Fishing and Trading Company, motivated by prospects of economic gain in the burgeoning Rocky Mountain fur trade and tales of untamed wilderness. The expedition departed from Independence, Missouri, following established westward, crossing the and navigating river routes like the and Sweetwater before ascending the via South Pass. Key stops included temporary camps for resupply and encounters with other traders, culminating in arrival at by late summer 1834, marking Russell's entry into the . This journey, spanning thousands of miles by wagon, horseback, and foot, reflected the era's pull of opportunity amid risks of harsh terrain and isolation.

Fur Trapping Career

Entry into the Trade

In April 1834, Osborne Russell joined Nathaniel J. Wyeth's expedition at Independence, Missouri, as part of the Columbia River Fishing and Trading Company's land party bound for the Rocky Mountains and the mouth of the Columbia River. Engaged for eighteen months at a wage of $250, Russell, who had prior trapping experience in the upper Midwest, traveled with about forty servicemen plus missionaries and botanists, departing on April 28 after outfitting with personal gear and company-supplied equipment. Upon reaching the 1834 rendezvous on Ham's Fork of the Green River in June, the party encountered outfits from the American Fur Company and the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, led by partners including Thomas Fitzpatrick, Milton Sublette, and Jim Bridger, where Wyeth attempted to sell goods before proceeding to establish Fort Hall on the Snake River. Russell's initial training in Rocky Mountain survival came through practical tasks at Fort Hall, such as learning to handle a rifle for buffalo hunting—where early inexperience caused misses—before succeeding in kills and confronting a grizzly bear, honing marksmanship and awareness of wildlife dangers. He soon participated in beaver trapping along nearby streams like the Snake and Raft rivers, mastering trap-setting and skinning amid the demands of remote camp life. For his first winter, Russell joined a small party in late 1834 to hunt and dry buffalo meat along the , returning to before establishing a camp in January 1835 on Lewis Fork, where shallower snow and abundant game like elk and sheep supported survival through basic shelter-building and provisioning. He attended the on the Green River in July, a key trading gathering that facilitated outfit preparations, and wintered 1835–1836 with 's company on Blackfoot Creek near Fort Hall, relying on lean buffalo meat and cottonwood bark for horses while suspending trapping due to frozen waters.

Major Expeditions

Russell joined expeditions traversing , western Wyoming, and southern Montana during the 1835 season, focusing on beaver-rich streams amid rugged terrain, before becoming a in December 1835. These routes often followed the , where parties emerged from mountains into expansive plains, establishing camps for trapping despite competition from rival groups seeking the same fur grounds. In 1835, Russell explored near the , navigating perilous crossings that tested trappers against swift waters and sudden floods, exemplified by his near-drowning incident while fording the river. Further travels up Snake River tributaries, including Ross's Fork, involved contending with harsh winter weather, predatory wildlife such as grizzly bears, and the physical demands of hauling traps over low divides and fertile valleys. Russell participated in annual , including gatherings in regions like Pierre's Hole valley, where trappers convened to trade furs, replenish supplies, and share intelligence on prime trapping areas following earlier regional conflicts. By the late 1830s, his expeditions extended into the Green River Valley—one of the largest and most fertile in the —yielding successful hauls amid ongoing rivalries with other vying for unexploited streams. These ventures underscored the era's declining beaver populations and intensifying environmental challenges, such as prolonged snows delaying movements.

Encounters with Indigenous Peoples

Russell maintained generally amicable relations with the , who served as occasional trading partners and allies for navigating the , often sharing intelligence on rival groups. He observed Crow raiding parties en route to confront encampments, noting their strategic movements without direct involvement in the conflicts. In stark contrast, encounters with the proved hostile, culminating in a 1839 ambush near the where Russell sustained wounds from arrows and lost supplies to the warriors. This incident underscored the perils of trapping in Blackfeet territory, prompting his retreat southward via challenging passes. Russell's journal records observations of various indigenous customs that influenced trapper survival, such as the resourcefulness of subgroups like the , whom he praised for their dignified hospitality and adeptness in harsh terrains, aiding trappers through shared knowledge of local game and routes. Early in his career, around 1834, he described a nearly uncontacted band—likely Shoshone or related—highlighting their rudimentary tools and wary demeanor, which informed cautious approaches to initial contacts and exchanges for provisions.

Settlement in Oregon

End of Trapping Era

By the early 1840s, the Rocky Mountain fur trade faced severe decline due to the overhunting of , leading to scarcity and reduced yields, compounded by changing European fashions that favored over . Oversupply of pelts further depressed prices, eroding the profitability that had sustained for decades. Russell, operating as a centered on the from 1838 to 1842, experienced these pressures firsthand during his final seasons. His journal, spanning 1834 to 1843, documents activities up to this period before his shift away from nomadic trapping toward permanent settlement in the . As the trade waned, Russell's writings captured a sense of transition, reflecting on the hardships and freedoms of amid diminishing opportunities.

Establishment in Willamette Valley

After concluding his trapping activities amid the declining fur trade, Russell joined a wagon train led by emigrants in 1842, traveling overland to the Oregon Country and reaching the Willamette Valley by late that year. Upon arrival, he claimed land in the fertile valley, marking his shift toward permanent settlement in the region populated by missionaries, retired Hudson's Bay Company employees, and incoming American pioneers. Russell engaged in initial farming and ranching efforts, adapting to the demands of cultivating the valley's rich soil and raising livestock, which contrasted sharply with the transient, wilderness-oriented routines of his years. This transition involved building a homestead and integrating into the growing settler community, where he contributed to local self-governance through his service as Supreme Judge in the established in 1843, prior to formal U.S. territorial status. His participation in these early organizational activities reflected a broader adaptation, as former trappers like Russell leveraged their frontier experience to support community establishment, including land distribution and basic infrastructure amid the valley's expanding American presence.

Political Involvement

Entry into Politics

After establishing himself as a settler in the Willamette Valley, Osborne Russell engaged in Oregon's provisional governance amid efforts to organize the region prior to U.S. territorial status. After his arrival with Elijah White's emigration party in 1842, Russell participated in early organizational efforts and in 1844 was elected to the second Executive Committee of the Provisional Government of Oregon, contributing to its meetings and decision-making. On October 2, 1843, he was commissioned as , overseeing judicial matters until May 14, 1844. This role positioned him at the center of early civic administration, including deliberations on land laws essential for securing settler claims in the absence of federal oversight. Russell's participation reflected the broader transition of frontiersmen into public servants to address governance voids, such as property rights and territorial petitions to .

Service in Oregon Legislature

Osborne Russell became active in the politics of the following his trapping career. He served as a member of the House of Representatives of the , representing Polk County during the 1844-1845 session before resigning. His legislative involvement reflected his prior experiences in the region, contributing to discussions on provisional government development.

Writings

Creation of Journal of a Trapper

Osborne Russell compiled his Journal of a Trapper from contemporaneous notes recorded during his expeditions in the , capturing principal circumstances under immediate observation as events unfolded. The work draws on dated entries spanning nine years from 1834 to 1843, beginning with his departure from Independence, Missouri, on April 4, 1834, and documenting travels, trapping activities, and environmental details through systematic, event-based notations. While the journal reflects ongoing field documentation, Russell organized it into a cohesive manuscript form after concluding his trapping career, presenting a chronological narrative verified against experiences with fellow trappers and Indigenous groups. His stated purpose emphasized straightforward recounting of a trapper's realities, shaped by practical education amid wilderness challenges, without initial commercial aims. This personal endeavor, preserved in an original manuscript later held at , remained unpublished during his lifetime.

Content and Themes

Russell's journal narrates the rigors of expeditions across the , emphasizing the physical and mental demands of navigating harsh terrains and seasonal challenges that tested trappers' endurance. Central themes include , where trappers contended with starvation, severe weather, and isolation, fostering resilience and adaptive skills essential for longevity in remote frontiers. Camaraderie among trappers emerges prominently during , portraying bonds formed through shared hardships, mutual aid, and communal rituals that provided rare social anchors amid solitude. Environmental descriptions form a recurring motif, with Russell vividly depicting the ' landscapes, rivers, and ecosystems as both bountiful and unforgiving, underscoring humanity's intimate yet precarious interplay with nature. Unique aspects of the work lie in its meticulous observations of topography, including passes, valleys, and waterways that aided later mapping efforts, alongside detailed accounts of animal behaviors such as habits and predator interactions, offering naturalistic insights rare in . As a primary source, the journal holds enduring historical value for illuminating the 's operations, particularly the rendezvous system's social and economic dynamics, providing unvarnished perspectives on absent in more commercialized narratives. Its reflective prose elevates it beyond mere itinerary, capturing the era's transient freedom and the encroaching transformation of the .

Later Years and Legacy

Post-Legislative Life

Following his legislative service, Russell engaged in private endeavors, alternating between and in pursuit of economic opportunities. He faced significant setbacks after being defrauded by a dishonest business partner, which left him financially strained and compelled him to dedicate much of his remaining years to recovering from debts rather than public or community roles. These circumstances contributed to his growing obscurity in the , where he had earlier settled, as he shifted focus to personal survival amid ongoing hardships.

Death and Historical Impact

Osborne Russell died on May 1, 1884, in Placerville, , at the age of 69. Russell garnered limited recognition during his lifetime for his frontier exploits, as his detailed journal of experiences remained unpublished until the mid-20th century. The enduring historical impact of Russell stems primarily from his Journal of a Trapper, which offers one of the premier firsthand accounts of fur trapping in the during the 1830s and 1840s, illuminating underrepresented perspectives on daily trapper life and the that were often overlooked in broader narratives of Western exploration. This work has enriched by providing authentic insights into the challenges, customs, and landscapes encountered by independent trappers, distinct from accounts dominated by expedition leaders or later settlers.

References

  1. https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/bison-books/9780803251663/journal-of-a-trapper/
  2. http://www.mtmen.org/mtman/RuslPaper.html
  3. http://www.mman.us/russellosbornebio.htm
  4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27785306/osborne-russell
  5. https://bluecypressbooks.com/search?type=author&q=Russell%2C%20Osborne&page=3
  6. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51638817
  7. https://user.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/html/ruslintr.html
  8. https://www.ronwatters.com/OLNotes2.html
  9. http://sfcompanion.blogspot.com/2019/12/mountain-man-osborne-russell-becomes.html
  10. https://npshistory.com/publications/grte/hrs/chap3.htm
  11. https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1006&context=hist_etds
  12. https://mmarkmiller.com/2011/06/08/a-tale-osborne-russell-tangles-with-blackfeet-%E2%80%94-1839/
  13. http://www.jacksonholetraveler.com/article/jackson-hole-history/
  14. https://www.frontierlife.net/blog/2021/4/16/mountain-man-osborne-russell-describes-a-nearly-uncontacted-tribe-in-1834
  15. https://www.history.com/articles/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-fur-trade-wild-west-1800s
  16. http://www.historycolorado.org/brief-history-fur-trade
  17. https://www.montanatrappers.org/basics/history/fur-trade.html
  18. https://aichat.physics.ucla.edu/_pdfs/textbooks/ZlKS3z/Osborne-Russell-Journal-Of-A-Trapper.pdf
  19. https://www.facebook.com/groups/345442339404956/posts/790138954935290/
  20. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/petitions-to-congress-1838-1843/
  21. https://www.shortform.com/pdf/journal-of-a-trapper-pdf-osborne-russell
  22. https://npshistory.com/publications/nhl/theme-studies/fur-trade.pdf
  23. https://www.jstor.org/stable/967889
  24. https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv70263
  25. https://www.amazon.com/manuscript-Robertson-Collection-University-Mountains/dp/B000OFZEES
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