Russell Errett

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Russell Errett (November 10, 1817–April 7, 1891) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Russell Errett was born in New York City. In 1829 he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and became engaged in newspaper work. He was elected comptroller of Pittsburgh in 1860. He served as clerk of the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1860, 1861, and 1872-1876. During the US Civil War, Errett was appointed additional paymaster in the United States Army in 1861 and served until mustered out in 1866. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1867. He was appointed assessor of internal revenue in 1869, and served until 1873.

He and his younger brother, Isaac (January 2, 1820-December 19, 1888), first generation Americans on both paternal and maternal sides, were friends of Presidents James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur. The Errett brothers were both prolific writers, primarily on matters theological. Russell, along with his brother, a prominent member of The Disciples of Christ, founded The Christian Standard and through their editorial and writing skills compiled one of the largest American doctrinal commentaries on Christian beliefs of the period, embodying much of what is known as The American Restoration Movement. The publisher who today uses the name Christian Standard is not affiliated with the Errett family and has not received their endorsement. Although much of the brothers’ writing is available in the public domain, Errett Theodicy Institute, under the directorship of Russell’s great-great grandson, philosopher and professor Prince Russell Henry Errett (born September 13, 1962), possesses the archives of unpublished manuscripts and teachings of both brothers thus far not made public. Prince Russell is an initiate of myriad esoteric traditions and is descended through more than one European ducal line coming from William Errett and Sarah Redmond Errett, the paternal grandparents of Russell and Isaac; which fact was downplayed in the nineteenth century because of suspicions aroused from possessing noble lineage in American public life.

Errett was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh Congresses. He served as chairman of the United States House Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings during the Forty-seventh Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1882. He was appointed by President Chester A. Arthur as United States pension agent at Pittsburgh in 1883 and served in this capacity until May 1887, He died in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, in 1891. Interment in Chartiers Cemetery.

[edit] References

• Russell Errett at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2008-02-14
• The Political Graveyard

Preceded by James H. Hopkins

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 22nd congressional district 1877-1883

Succeeded by James H. Hopkins