Jacob Pyle Russel was born on 29 October 1836, the son of Alexander and Hannah Pyle Russel of West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania. An initial entry in the diary, dated 30 October 1857, provides an account of his life to that time: "I was born in West Chester . . . just after the return of my parents from the western part of the state of Ohio. They moved after a short time to Delewar County Thornbury township than my father followed his trade as Blacksmith for 11 years he then sold, and bought a farm in vincent Township Chester County which was the first of April 1847 we remained thare for three years when farther selling again, he bought a small farm in Wellestown Township in same County. he move to it March 30th 1850 we remained thare untill April 1st 1852 when move on to John Morris farm at Phoenixville, whare I staid untill Oct 1th 1853, when my farther put me apprentice to Joseph Maples Stone Cutter Broad & Arch St Philadelphia I remained with him some months when I left for bad treatment at his hands the first Day of January 1854 I went to same buisness but another branch. to John Young 11th Race St but the buisness being too hard for me I left it 28th March same year and went to Drug Buisness with W. W. D. Livermore cor 9th Vine and a more perfect Gentleman it has never been my lot to meet neather do I expect to. unfortunately he was Drowned 19th day of July 1854 The store then passed into the hands of his borther Origen H. Livermore and a more contemtable puppy dose not breath I was in his employ for 2 1/2 years when we had a fall out and parted. But in the mean time my farther moved to Ohio at a place called Salem whare he now is. After I Left Livermore I went out home and staid a month I then returned and went into the employ of G. C. Bower 6th & Vine I staid with him untill April the first 1857 I then under his recomendation went into the employ of Waring & Peirce Richmond Va. I remained thare two months when I left in profound disgust and returned to Philadelphia and obtained employment under the recomendation of my old friend G. C. Bower in the store of G. Y. Shoemaker 509 north second st at which place I now am . . . ." By 1861 Russel had established an apothecary business of his own, at 5th and Shippen Streets, Philadelphia. In July 1862 he maried Anna Emery, mentioned frequently in the diary.