My Genealogy Hound

J. W. MITCHELL. Among the very early settlers of Sheridan township none are more worthy of entering these pages than the subject of this sketch. He has lived in Cedar and in Jasper counties ever since 1834, and is one of the very early settlers of Jasper county. He was born in Blount county, Tenn., Nov. 27, 1821, and was raised on a farm. Has a meager education, which he got by going to Sunday-school. He there learned to read. He then went to common school in Tennessee a short time during winter months. He then moved to Missouri, in 1834, with his parents. He is the son of James and Sarah Mitchell, natives of Tennessee. Mr. Mitchell was a minister of the gospel for over sixty years, and had fourteen children, eight boys and six girls, who lived to be men and women grown. The subject of this sketch was the ninth child. He remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, then hired out to work by the month for Rev Anthony Buley, on Spring River, near Bower’s Mills, helping to split rails He worked there until he was taken sick with chills and fever; then returned home and worked on the farm until twenty-four years of age, and during that time made two trips to St. Louis and drove cattle through on foot. He drove an ox team through with sugar, coffee, and salt. Feb. 25, 1845 he was married to Miss Esther Mackey, daughter of James and Sarah Mackey, natives of Tennessee. They moved to Washington county Mo in 1820, where Mrs. Mitchell was born, Jan. 21, 1825, and moved to Springfield, Greene county, Mo., at the age of six years, and in 1832 moved to Polk county and was raised there. Her mother is still living there at the advanced age of seventy-six years. After Mr. Mitchell was married he moved to Cedar county, Mo., and lived there twenty-five years, engaged in farming, and during that time served in the state militia and helped to guard Carthage until it was burned; then took a trip through southwestern Missouri and was on a scout through Arkansas. During that time saw the land he now lives on, and said he would make one of a colony to come and settle up this prairie after the war. He came to Jasper county with Mr. Fox and bought 320 acres of land, and this is one of the farms that was in the McFarland suit. In March, 1870, Mr. Mitchell moved on his farm of 180 acres, as Mr. Fox gave 20 acres for the choice of location. He lived there twelve years. Mr. Mitchell has two children living, Melville A. and Sarah C. His son Thomas (deceased) was married to Isadore Hunt March 7, 1877, and bought sixty acres in section 16. Mr. Mitchell gave him twenty, making eighty acres in section 16. He died Sept. 3, 1879, and Mr. Mitchell bought the 80 acres and sold the old homestead of 120 acres Mr. Mitchell now lives on the 80 acres that he purchased of his daughter-in-law and her children. He now has 120 acres in section 16, which is all under cultivation. He has a good young orchard, and good buildings. Mr. Mitchell belongs to the Summit Grange; also joined the Masons, but does not attend the lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the M. E. Church, and are old settlers whom Jasper county can feel proud of.