 He attended the public school, moved to New York State, studied medicine, and practiced a short time in Cooperstown, New York.He was county clerk of Otsego County from 1801 to 1804, and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Ninth and Tenth Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1805 to March 3, 1809.While in Congress, Russell missed 53 of 393 roll call votes.