MITCHELL, Lorenzo Dow

MITCHELL, DONALDSON, MEEK, GEARY, GAMMON, HOKE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/12/2014 at 00:09:15

Biography ~ Lorenzo Dow Mitchell

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 580-81.

L. D. MITCHELL, residing on section 36, Burrell Township, Decatur County, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born July 22, 1831 [Zanesville], a son of Abel and Rachel (Donaldson) Mitchell. His parents were married in Ohio, and reared a family of three children - Barzillai Miles, Lorenzo Dow and Jared Cone, our subject being the second child. He grew to manhood in his native county, where he was reared to farming pursuits, receiving his education in the common schools. He was married December 18, 1853, to Miss Catharine Meek, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Gary, sic Geary) Meek. They have nine children - Maria M., Mary J., Abel S., Alcinda A., Jared L., Richard E., William D., Samuel G. and Jessie A. In 1856 Mr. Mitchell came to Iowa by team, with his family, which then consisted of his wife and one child, and first located in Madison County, remaining there fifteen and a half months. In the spring of 1858 he came to Decatur County, and settled in Eden Township, where he improved a forty-acre farm on section 1, on which he lived twelve years. He then sold his land in Eden Township, and bought the farm in Burrell Township, where he has since followed general farming and stock-raising. His farm contains 133 acres of well-cultivated land, and is well adapted for the raising of stock. He has a comfortable residence, well furnished, and a large commodious barn for his stock besides other farm buildings. His residence is located a half mile from Davis City, his farm being but a quarter of a mile distance from that place. Mr. Mitchell has been a member of the Christian church over twenty years, of which he is [an] elder. He takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of religion or education, and is one of the respected citizens of Decatur County. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. He has served as treasurer of Eden [township], with credit to himself and his constitutents.

NOTE: Lorenzo died May 18, 1900, Davis City IA. Catharine was born May 23 1829, and died August 27, 1899. They were interred at Meek Cemetery, Eden Township, Decatur Co. IA

Of Lorenzo and Catharine's children:

Abel Sampson "Abe" Mitchell, born 17 Sep 1859, Eden Twp.; died 14 Jun 1936, St. Frances KS
Jared "Lafayette" Mitchell, born 25 Aug 1863, Eden Twp.; died 05 Mar 1938; married 25 Dec 1888 Docia Rachel Gammon, born 1863; died 1937; interments at Meek Cemetery
Richard Emulus Mitchell, born 17 Sep 1865, Eden Twp.; died 06 Feb 1959, Kincaid KS
Jessie Alberta (Mitchell) Hoke, born 22 Apr 1873, Eden Twp.; died 05 Dec 1935, Anna IL

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014