Correspondence

The bulk of the John Hooe Russel Papers consists of Correspondence. The Series is arranged chronologically, with general correspondence that is dated before Russel married Minerva Cobb Phelps being at the front of the series. The general correspondence consists of the public and private correspondence that Russel received before the premature death of Nettie Phelps Russel, his first wife who was also a cousin of his second wife Minerva. The Series then transitions into the materials that were from his second marriage; beginning around the time of the death of Nettie Russel, his first wife. This latter correspondence should be investigated in conjunction with the Caperton/Burnam Family Papers, which is where the Hooe Russel Papers where originally housed. The materials from his second marriage represent a clear transition in Russel's life which is why the contents that relate to this period in his life were addressed as separate subseries within the correspondence; not to mention, the later correspondence contains fewer materials that are associated with Russel's successful shipping ventures. By the time Russel married Minerva he was very well established as both a banker and confidant of the various governing bodies of West Virginia.