Barbara Ann Japp Mitchell 1860-1940

MITCHELL, JAPP, SAGER, RICKARD, MCCOWLEN, KING, WILLIASMS, SLAGMASTER, SLINGAUTER, WADE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/24/2015 at 00:04:06

Mrs. A. Mitchell, Early Pioneer of Armstrong is Dead
Mrs. Andrew Mitchell, a resident of Armstrong passed away at her home there the first of the week. She was 80 years old. Her death followed an operation which she underwent some weeks ago.

Both Mrs. Mitchell and her husband were born in Chicago and came to Emmet county shortly after their marriage. Mr. Mitchell is well known throughout this part of the state for his activities as a bridge construction contractor.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Mitchell is survived by three children. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 21, 1940)

Armstrong
The funeral services for Mrs. Andrew Mitchell were held at the Methodist church Friday afternoon at 2, conducted by the Rev. M.D. Bush, the pastor. Interment was in the Armstrong Grove cemetery where the two deceased children are buried. Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her husband and nine of her eleven children: Mrs. Isabelle Sager, of Blue Earth, Minn., Mrs. Adeline Rickard, of Britt, Ia., Mrs. Ethel McCowlen, of Springfield, Colo., Mrs. Alice King, Van Courver, Wash., the last two named are twins; W.A. Mitchell, Armstrong, J.W. Mitchell, Kasson, Minn., Mrs. Sue Williams, San Francisco, Calif.; Mrs. Nell Singauter, Des Moines; and Mrs. Agnes Wade, Newton, Ia. There is one brother living, Joe Japp, a veteran railroad man of Spokane, Wash. Also 31 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1940)

Obituary
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Methodist church for Mrs. A.A. Mitchell. They were conducted by the Rev. M.D. Bush, pastor of the church.

Mrs. Mitchell who had been suffering with gall stone was taken to the hospital in Estherville a few days ago for an operation, but complications developed and death came on Monday.

Barbara Ann Japp was born at Lathem, Scotland, on October 5, 1860, and passed away on November 18, 1940 at the age of 80 years.

She grew to womanhood in Bonnie, Scotland and in 1881 came to America to live near Milburn, Ill. That fall, on November 25, 1881, she was married to Andrew Mitchell. In 1881, they came to Iowa locating on a farm near Algona. There they had the limitations and privations of the pioneers of those days. At times the roads were quite impassable. After 26 years they moved to a farm near Bancroft where they lived five years; 25 years ago they moved to this vicinity, and for the last 23 years have lived in their Armstrong home.

For the last 15 years Mrs. Mitchell had not been very strong but she was able to be about the house. About a week ago she suffered another severe attack of gall stones, and in a few days death came.

She joined the Methodist church in Bancroft and was transferred to the Methodist church in Armstrong on October 10, 1919. She was very active and responsive in the work of the church and as a shut-in, she continued to contribute very generously. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and also unselfishly cooperated in that. Her chief interest was in her home and the welfare of her children. She was a devoted wife and mother. She ever conveyed a spirit of kindness and in her younger active life was helpful wherever there was need among her neighbors.

Mrs. Mitchell is survived by her husband and nine of her 11 children: Mrs. Isabell Sager of Blue Earth, Minn.; Mrs. Adeline Rickard of Britt; Mrs. Ethel McCowlen of Springfield, Colo.; Mrs. Alice King of Vancouver, Wash.; W.A. Mitchell of Armstrong; Mrs. Sue Williams, San Francisco, Calif.; Mrs. Nell Slagmaster, Des Moines; and Mrs. Agnes Wade, Newton, Iowa. There is one brother living, Joe Japp, a veteran railroad man of Spokane, Wash.; also 31 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 27, 1940)