My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS HUGHES MITCHELL. Among the leading agriculturists of township 46, range 27, Johnson County, there is none better known in its history than the individual whose name heads this article. On the 26th of November, 1820, he was born in Greene County, Pa., to Shederick and Elizabeth (Roseberry) Mitchell, being one of their family of eleven children, of whom eight are still living. His father, who was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent, was also born in the same county, about 1797, and learned the trade of a blacksmith with his father, who was also a gunsmith. For some five years he followed that occupation, when, on his health failing, he was compelled to give it up and chose one that required less physical exertion.

Mr. Mitchell then opened a hotel in Clinton, Pa., which he conducted for seven years, and also became the proprietor of a general merchandise store. Removing to Ohio in 1831, he located in Monroe County, on the Muskingum River, forty miles below Wheeling, and started a hotel. He there built a saw and grist mill, and in connection with its operation also carried on a general store, in fact his place became the general supply depot for miles around. During the nine years he remained there he made considerable money, but at the end of that time traded his property for a farm on the banks of the Ohio River. Shortly afterward, however, he sold this land and removed to Kentucky, where he purchased another farm, but through a financial crisis at that time lost his farm and returned to Ohio. He again embarked in the hotel business, but from that time made many changes, and at last passed his declining days in the home of our subject, dying at the age of seventy-six years.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch passed his boyhood and youth in the home of his father, during which time he received a common-school education. On reaching manhood he began farming in Lewis County, Ky., and also engaged in the lumber business, building flatboats and conducting a general store. He seems to have inherited an active, energetic spirit, and was constantly employed. His success was very gratifying, as his business became quite lucrative. His location was quite favorable, being at a point where the steamboats landed on the Ohio River, and he became well known among the men of that section.

On the 14th of July, 1841, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Clementine Stallcup, a daughter of John and Sarah Stallcup, and by this union six children were born, four of whom are still living: Mrs. Georgiana Whitsett, Pleasant S., Mrs. Lucy Simms and Frank. The mother of this family was called to her final rest April 15, 1856. Mr. Mitchell then wedded Miss George Ann Stallcup, a sister of his former wife, the ceremony taking place on the 3d of August, 1857, and to them were born four children, but two are now deceased. The others are Henry Forest, a progressive farmer of Johnson County, who married Miss Myrtle Epright, and has one child; and Charles B., an unusually promising young man, very popular in this county, where he has a host of warm friends.

In March, 1869, Mr. Mitchell closed out his business in Kentucky and emigrated to Missouri. After a year’s residence in Warrensburg, he located on his present farm and settled down to the life of an agriculturist. During his life he has been a great hunter, and some of his reminiscences are deeply interesting. While he lived in Kentucky game was very plentiful, and hundreds of deer have been brought down by his rifle. There were still to be found some bears in that region, but he took part in but one bear hunt, at which he killed the animal. Deer were becoming scarce on his arrival in this state, but he killed several, some of them having been shot on his own place.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are now passing their declining years in their pleasant home in Johnson County, surrounded by the comforts of life, and their hospitable home is always open to their many friends. Our subject has now reached the age of seventy-five years, but is still hale and hearty. He belongs to a family noted for longevity, and has distinct recollections of his great-grandparents, Thomas Hughes and his wife, and also his greatgrandfather, Mathias Roseberry. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and in religion is a devoted member of the Christian Church.