John Brown Mitchell 1856-1927

MITCHELL, CLARK, ERICKSON, BREES

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/27/2014 at 22:35:08

John Mitchell of Dolliver Dies at Rochester Hospital
John Mitchell, a resident of Dolliver, died Saturday [October 22, 1927] at Rochester, Minn., where he had gone for an operation. At the time of his death he was 60 years old.

John Brown Mitchell was born Aug. 3, 1856, near Hazel Green, Wis. On Jan. 11, 1883, at Benton, Wis., he was united in marriage to Mary Isabel Clark and they lived in Wisconsin the first three years of their married life after which they came to Sheffield in Franklin County, Iowa where they lived for 11 years.

A Farmer
In 1896 they came to Emmet county locating on a farm in Lincoln township. After three years they moved to Swan Lake township and in 1915 they came to Dolliver. Except for two years in a meat market, Mr. Mitchell always farmed.

He is survived by his wife and four children, Lottie and Lee of Dolliver, Ethel, Mrs. E.H. Erickson of Cedar Rapids, and Novella, Mrs. S.G. Brees of Whittier, Cal. A little son born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell died in infancy.

There are four grandchildren. Mr. Mitchell also has three brothers and two sisters surviving him.

Was Supervisor
Aside from being a good citizen, Mr. Mitchell showed his interest in the best things for the community by serving two terms as county supervisor, and as a member of the school board in Dolliver.

Funeral services were held at the church in Dolliver at 2 o’clock Tuesday, Oct. 25, conducted by the pastor Rev. O.P. Mueller. Burial was made in the Dolliver cemetery. (Estherville News, Estherville, IA, October 26, 1927)

J.B. Mitchell Dies at Rochester, Is Prominent Man
Had Resided in Emmet County for 31 Years – Co. Supervisor Two Terms
J.B. Mitchell of Dolliver, one of Emmet county’s most beloved pioneer residents, passed to his reward in Rochester, Minn., last Saturday after undergoing an operation for an ailment of long standing. He had been in health for a long time but bore his afflictions with fortitude and uncomplainingly.

For four years Mr. Mitchell was a member of the county board of supervisors, representing the district comprised of Lincoln and Iowa Lake townships. He served not only his district but the county as well and at all times was faithful to the trust bestowed in him.

The fact that he succeeded himself on the Board was evidence of the confidence placed in him by his constituents. He was conscientious in his work and at all times had the best interests of the county at heart.

His death, although not wholly unexpected will cause great sorrow where he was best known.

John Brown Mitchell was born on August 3, 1856, near Hazel Green in Grant county, Wis. He died at Rochester, Minn., on Saturday, Oct. 22, 1927, reaching the age of three score and 11 years, 2 months and 19 days.

On January 11, 1883, at Benton, Wis., he was united in marriage to Mary Isabel Clark, and they lived in Wisconsin the first three years of their married life, after which they came to Sheffield, in Franklin Co., Iowa, where they lived for 11 years.

In 1896 they came to Emmet county and located on a farm in Lincoln township. After three years they moved to Swan Lake township and in 1915 they came to Dolliver. Except for two years in a meat market, Mr. Mitchell’s work always was farming.

The mourning family circle consists of Mrs. Mitchell, the faithful companion of his life for 44 year, and four children, Lottie and Lee of Dolliver, Ethel, Mrs. E.H. Erickson of Cedar Rapids, and Novella, Mrs. S.G. Brees of Whittier, Calif. A little son born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell died in infancy.

There are four grandchildren. Mr. Mitchell also has three brothers and two sisters surviving him.

Aside from being a good citizen, Mr. Mitchell showed his interest in the best things for the community by serving two terms as county supervisor and as a member of the school board in Dolliver.

More than 40 years ago he identified himself with the membership and activities of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving in an official capacity much of that time. All these relationships show also the confidence and esteem accorded to him by those who knew him.

He belonged to a type of citizen, a certain pioneer type of citizen, which is rapidly passing away. Men who seem particularly adapted to the needs of new and developing country. Men who are first of all interested in home, church and school, rather than the more personal and often lighter and less important things of life.

His home and family were first in his thoughts. He gave his children advantages that were denied him. Those who knew Mr. Mitchell best tell of his kind disposition and constant good nature. The sorrowing wife and children are emphatic in declaring his kindness of heart and devotion to the family.

Words of a great singer may well be quoted in connection with the passing of John Mitchell.:

“Spirit, thy labor is o’er,
Thine early probation is run;
Thy steps are now bound for the untrodden shore,
And the race of immortals begun.”

Funeral services were held at the church in Dolliver at 2 o’clock Tuesday, Oct. 25, conducted by the pastor, Rev. O.P. Mueller. Interment was made in the Dolliver cemetery.

The singers were: Mrs. Charley Oatts, Mrs. Olive Twedt, Mrs. Olive Eckhart. Special numbers by Rev. and Mrs. Mueller.

Honorary Pall bearers: Ike Coleman, S.B. Reed, Sam Solomonson, Henry Kleen, John Barfoot, Fred Maltzen.

Active Pall bearers: Amil Eckhart, Jack Fowler, I. Jensen, O.H. Burdette, Wm. Maron, Wm. McIlwraith (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 26, 1927 / Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 26, 1927)