George Mitchell

MITCHELL, SCHMIDT, RETHERFORD, DOUGLASS, BONES, KINCADE, BARROW, GIESE

Posted By: Karla Schmidt
Date: 3/5/2003 at 09:24:00

by, Karla Schmidt January 1, 2003

The following is a computer rendition of an unsigned typescript. The document was sent to me by my late great-uncle Ray Retherford of Chariton, Iowa, probably during the 1970s. Mr. Retherford was one of the sons of Flora Mitchell Retherford, a daughter of George W. Mitchell and Mary Ann Douglass, and her husband Frank Retherford, both also of Chariton, Iowa. The diction is a kind of now antiquated newspaper laudatio tone, formerly (usually in the years before 1970) found frequently in social notices and obituaries of small town and country newspapers. My suspicion is that the author consciously or unconsciously imitated this tone, perhaps intending the article for newspaper publication in the print media of Lucas County, Iowa.

The original document is double-spaced, a feature I have been forced to adapt to computer stipulations and set at 1.5 spacing, which changes the page format slightly. I shall, however, otherwise attempt as exact a copy as I can, including spelling and even obvious typing mistakes as far as they are reproducible. These I shall mark with the conventional (sic), as I am averse to adding the mistakes of others to my own faulty orthography. To what end preserving such mistakes can be of help to future historians is something no chronologist can judge in his or her own “time window”. The author - evidently a child of his or her own times regarding negligence of women - noted Mary Ann Douglass as a daughter of Martin Douglass, which is probably not the case. Our records show her to have been a daughter of Ebenezer Douglass, a younger brother of Martin. Where this mistake could have originated is very difficult to determine. Perhaps the author simply assumed that any Douglass of Chariton must be a child of either Noble or Martin. For the sake of historical exactness of the typescript rendition I have left the mistake unchanged, as even my grandmother, Olive Retherford Giese, did not correct it. I know for a fact that she herself did not know her maternal grandfather’s first name. The corrections my grandmother did make in handwritten form are all in the data of the female members of the family (names of Olive’s mother and maternal aunts), leading me to believe that the author of the article was not especially concerned with the precise truth content of that which he or she regarded as minor details, the names and circumstances of the women in George Mitchell’s family.

From the verb tense of the closing of the biographical sketch it can be assumed that the article was written before George Mitchell’s death on December 14th, 1914, judging from the text, perhaps at the beginning of the 1890s. It could be that the typescript was done by my great-uncle Ray, although I do have a very vague memory of his having attributed it to a third party. All footnotes are my additions.

G.W. MITCHELL.--- Among the pioneer settlers of Lucas county is numbered this gentleman, dating his residence from 1852. Land was largely in possession of the Government and few indeed were the improvements which had been made, consisting only of widely scattered cabins on the broad prairies. In the work of development and advancement which has placed Lucas county on a par with the best in the State he has ever borne his part, which renders him a fit subject for biographical honors.

Mr. Mitchell has always lived in the West and has the progressive, enterprising spirit so characteristic of of (sic) the country. He is a native of the Hoosier State, his birth having occurred in Jackson county, Indiana on the 12th of March, 1827. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Bones) Mitchell, the former a native of Kentucky of Irish descent, the latter born in Pennsylvania and of Dutch lineage. The father became a resident of Jackson county, Indiana as early as 1811 and in the war of 1812 he served as a loyal American soldier. His occupation was farming and to that pursuit he devoted his energies throughout the years of his active business life. His political support was given the Democracy and in religious belief he was a Baptist. They had six children, G.W., John, Jacob, Lucinda, Deborah, and one that died in infancy.
The early life of G.W. Mitchell was passed in a manner similar to that of most farmer boys of the period in Indiana sic) He worked in the field through the summer and in the winter went to school in one of the primitive structures of the time, a log building with puncheon floor, slabb(sic) seats and broad open fireplaces. When a young man of twenty-five he resolved to try his fortune still farther west and in 1852 came to Iowa, where he entered land from the Govern-
ment. Three years later he made a permanent settlement, having made the journey to this State with horses and wagon. His first home was a log cabin, 18X 18 feet and when it was completed he at once began the arduous task of improving and cultivating his land. On this farm he has lived for forty years almost, his residence here being interrupted only by a two-years’ sojurn (sic) in Chariton. The log cabin has long since been replaced by a commodious and modern frame residence, surrounded by a pretty and well-kept lawn, shaded by ornamental trees . A fine orchard containing 200 trees adds to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Small fruits in season grace the table and add to the comforts of the home life .The farm buildings, fences, well cultivated fields and in fact everything about the premises is indicative of the prosperity which has attended the owner and he may congratulate himself on owning one of the finest farms in Lucas county. His life has been a busy and useful one and he has not only suceeeded (sic) in winning prosperity for himself but as (sic) also materially aiding in advancing the best interests of the community, taking a most active part in everything that tends to the general welfare. When the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was in process of construction through the county he took the contract for and built four miles of the track. In all his business dealinga (sic) he is tho-roughly reliable and is regarded by his fellow towns-men as one of the most substantial men of the county.
In Jackson county, Indiana, when twenty-two years of age Mr. Mitchell was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Ann Douglas a native of Indiana and a daughter of Martin Douglas. In every sense of the word she has proved herself a true helpmeet to her husband. The children of this union are as follows

3

G.N. and James, who reside in Warren township, Lucas county; John N., Joseph H. and Stephen D., all in Colorado; Noah, of Missouri; Ida Kincade of Whitebreast township; Lu cas (sic) county; Flora Retherford, of Chariton; and Mrs. Lula Barrow, of St. Joseph, Missouri. The children were provided (sic) with excellent educational privileges and several have been successful teachers. G.N. and James were educated in the Valparaison (Indiana) Normal College, and Nelson and Frank attended the Keokuk Business College.

For many years Mr. Mitchell has taken an active interest in local politics and is oneo (sic) of the leaders of the Democracy in this locality. He has filled various offices of importance, having been Justice of the Peace for four years, Assessor for two years, Township Trustee three yesr (sic) and for twenty years a member of the school board. He has long been a mmember (sic) of the Masonic fraternity and retains a membership in both the blue
lodge (sic) and chapter. All who knw (sic) know him have for him the highest regard on account of his many excellencies of character.