My Genealogy Hound

William Park Mitchell, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of William and Sallie (Ross) Mitchell, of North Carolina, in which State William Park Mitchell was born on December 25, 1836. The family resided in North Carolina until 1847, when they moved to Benton County, Tenn., and settled on a farm. Here they resided, a happy family, until the father’s death, in 1872, and then the mother following him in 1875. William P. remained with his father until his majority, and then entered into the grocery business at Dresden, where he remained for fourteen months. He next commenced farming in Tennessee, up to the year 1870, and, thinking that Arkansas offered a better field for that business, he moved to the latter State, and settled in Lawrence County. On his arrival he bought 120 acres of timbered land and an additional 150 acres, with slight improvements upon it. He at once began to improve and cultivate his farms, and at the present time has about eighty acres under cultivation, with two fair residences and two tenant houses, besides a substantial double log house, in which he resides. He also owns a fine bearing orchard of peaches and apples. Mr. Mitchell was married in Benton County, Tenn., on July 27, 1862, to Miss Sarah F. Summers, a native of that State, and a daughter of Zachariah Summers, of Virginia. This union has given them six children, all of whom are living and in the best of health. Their names are Willis L., Zula, wife of H. D. Lawson; Emma, wife of Elijah Roberts; Anna and Maggie, both young ladies, and Katie. They have also lost three children: George, who died in his sixth year; Laura, dying at three years of age, and John, who died in his second year. Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat in politics, and is always loyal in his support of the principles and men of that party. He was appointed deputy sheriff and served in that capacity for a number of years, and is held in the highest esteem by the entire community. He has a splendid farm, a comfortable home, and is considered to be one of the most successful farmers in Lawrence County, all of which he has accumulated by his own good judgment and industry. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Mitchell also of the Agricultural Wheel, being president of the local Wheel.