Thanks for the info, given the similarity of names and locations this one piqued my interest. To fill in a few gaps for those intersted. Robert Rankin Russell marriage to Sarah Jane Sturgeon is recorded on 26 Dec 1845 in Buchanon Co. Missouri. That makes her about 14 or 15 years old at the time. Sarah Jane was born in Kentucky. They are found as you mention in Nodaway county in the 1850 census. Their 3rd child was born in 1865 and appropriately named Stonewall Jackson Russell.

I think, but have not been able to prove, that Robert R Russell was the son of James and Clara (Byrd) Russell. The Cape County records of the period between 1790 and 1820 are in pretty good shape comparatively speaking and the archive center is a research friendly atmosphere.

John R(ussell)
Cape Girardeau MO

PS Alas it appears he is no direct relationship to my family line. :>)