The Russells and Matsons were former slaves who survived the Civil War, to come North and become successful business people. This narrative describes four generations of their descendants who lived in Wisconsin, Washington State, Michigan, and Illinois. The author, is Carol Jean Matson Calvin, great great granddaughter of the Russells and Matsons. She was awarded the Century Family Certificate from the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society for documenting that her ancestors settled in Wisconsin more than one hundred years ago.