Russell Judson Waters (June 6, 1843 – September 25, 1911) was an American teacher, lawyer, businessman, author and one-term U.S. Representative from California at the turn of the 20th century.

Russell J. Waters
Russell J. Waters, California Congressman.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1901
Preceded byCharles A. Barlow
Succeeded byJames McLachlan
Personal details
Born(1843-06-06)June 6, 1843
Halifax, Vermont
DiedSeptember 25, 1911(1911-09-25) (aged 68)
Los Angeles, California
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery
Political partyRepublican

Early life and education

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Born in Halifax, Vermont, Waters moved with his parents to Franklin County, Massachusetts, in 1846. He attended the district schools. Learned the machinist's trade in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. He taught school at Charlemont Center, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Franklin Institute (later Arms Academy), Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, where he later was professor of Latin and mathematics. He moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1867. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1868 and practiced in Chicago until 1886.

Career

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He moved to California and settled in Redlands in 1886. City attorney of Redlands in 1888. He moved to Los Angeles in 1894. He served as president of the Pasadena Consolidated Gas Co.. Treasurer of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, vice president of the Citizens' Bank, and connected with many public institutions.

Waters was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1901). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1900.

Later career and death

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He resumed banking as president of the Citizens' National Bank, Los Angeles. He served as president of the California Cattle Co., San Jacinto, California, from 1903 to 1911. He served as president of the San Jacinto Water Co. in 1910 and 1911.

He died in Los Angeles, California, September 25, 1911, and was interred in Hollywood Cemetery.

Bibliography

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  • Lyric Echos. Los Angeles, CA: Times-Mirror Printing and Binding House, 1907.
  • El Estranjero (The stranger): a story a Southern California. Chicago, New York: Rand, McNally & company, 1910.

Sources

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  • United States Congress. "Russell J. Waters (id: W000188)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 6th congressional district

1899–1901
Succeeded by

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress