 Incorporation prompted a debate on moving the county seat, located in Dover since 1841, to one of the growing business centers adjacent to the new tracks.On March 19, 1887, an election was held in which Russellville beat out all competing towns, though Atkins finished a close second on the ballot.While formal education came to the Russellville area early with the founding of nearby Dwight Mission in 1820, most early schools were either private or by subscription.