Rev. George Edwin Mitchell (1842 - 1918)

MITCHELL, WESTFALL, CHENOWETH, KEERAN, GOFF

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 11/3/2020 at 07:20:50

The Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa
May 09, 1918, Page 1

THE WEEKS MORTUARY

Death Claims Well Known Citizen
of Clarke County

George Edwin Mitchell was born in Meigs County, Ohio, August 9th, 1842. When but a child he moved with his parents to Keokuk, Iowa, where he resided until December 1853, when he removed to Knox County, Illinois. Here he grew to manhood. The great Civil war came on and he responded to the call of President Lincoln for men to defend the flag and protect the government, entered the service and served in Co. A. 59th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, from September 16, 1861 to December 24, 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account of wounds received in the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 8th, 1862. He loved his country, its glorious institutions, was loyal and patriotic in war and peace, was a worthy citizen of the government he helped to save and perpetuate.

In Knox County, Illinois, on the 7th of April, 1864, he was united in marriage to Rosetta E. Westfall, and for more than fifty-four years they journeyed together, over the pathway of time. It is a rare allotment for husband and wife to enjoy the felicities of wedded life for so great a period of time, but the affection that bound them together became deeper and more tender until the latter years of their long and eventful pilgrimage, their devotion to each other was sanctified and hallowed. To this union, ten children were born, seven sons and three daughters. Six are living and all are at the parental home at this time. They are Ollie Cheneworth, of Charleston, Illinois; S. W. Mitchell, of Newton, Iowa; Josie Keeran, Wm. T., Ralph E., and C. R., of Weldon. Three sons and one daughter died in infancy and are buried in the Hebron Cemetery.

He was converted when but 13 years of age and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and continued in that communion of the church militant until he was mustered out and translated to the church triumphant. For more than three score years he "fought a good fight," enduring hardness as a good soldier, serving the Christ to whom he gave allegiance in early childhood with supreme and unswerving devotion and fidelity, answering the call to service with faith and enthusiasm that gave force and victory. He was licensed to preach in the home church in Illinois where he began his public services. He came to Clarke County, Iowa, in 1872, and resided on the farm for several years. He was ordained local deacon, August 31, 1879, and local elder, September 11, 1884. He was abundant in labor as a local preacher, preaching whenever and wherever opportunity afforded and for a number of years most acceptably and with success preached on the following charges in the Chariton District in the Des Moines Conference: Grand River, Decatur, Tingley, Redding, Davis City, Columbia, Woodburn, Thayer, and Ellston. Advancing age compelled him to give up the active itinerant service and he retired to his home in Weldon, where his life flowed in the various means of service and helpfulness until his coronation in Heaven. His life and work have been an uplift to all with whom he came in contact, and multitudes will rise up and call him blessed. Truly he rests from his labors and his works do follow him.

In the last few weeks of his life, a malignant disease developed that necessitated surgical attention and he went to the Methodist Hospital at Des Moines where the most efficient surgical skill of the state was secured but he was not strong enough to combat successfully the difficulty and went down into the valley of the shadow at 11:45 on the evening of April 30th, he "was not, for God took him." "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

Besides his family, he leaves brothers and sisters, viz: C. W. Mitchell, of Yorktown, Iowa; M. O. Mitchell, of Roseville, California, O. W. Mitchell, of Sterling, Kansas; Dr. Eno Mitchell, of Grand River, Iowa, Mrs. Harriett Goff, of Gaynor, Mo., and L. A. Mitchell, of Weldon. Also fifteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives. He was 75 years, eight months, and twenty-one days of age at the time of his death.

On account of the illness of the aged wife and one son, Ralph, a brief service was held at the home on Friday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. The regular funeral service was held at the Methodist Church at 2:30 and was very largely attended. The service was conducted by the Pastor, Rev. W. H. Rarrick, assisted by Rev. Seth Sampson, and Rev. W. B. Thompson, both old friends of the deceased. Other ministers present were Rev. L. H. Smith, of Ellston, and Rev. W. E. Shugg, of Davis City, both former charges of Rev. Mitchell, and Rev. Jno. Harned, of Derby and Rev. Geo. Campbell, of Davis City.

The body was taken to the Hebron Cemetery where the ritualistic service of the I.O.O.F., of which Rev. Mitchell was a member, was held preceding the burial.