MITCHELL, Hon. Henry Blake - 1890 Bio (1818-1912)

MITCHELL, TOOL, WILKINS, DIXON, INGRAM, ALBAUGH, ROGERS, CORBETT

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/18/2007 at 13:59:45

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 181-183

Hon. Henry Blake MITCHELL, a widely known and highly respected pioneer of Jefferson County, whose residence here covers half a century, is a native of New Hampshire. He was born in the town of Claremont, Sullivan County, on the 5th of July, 1818, and is a son of William and Dolly MITCHELL. His father was born in Boston, Mass., in 1768, of English parentage, and in early life became a farmer admist the rugged hills of the old Granite State. Henry B. was reared on a farm, and in the district schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. He was trained from his youth to habits of industry and frugality, and learned at an early date to cultivate a spirit of independence and self-reliance that has characterized his more mature years. At the age of fourteen he lost his father, and from that time was obliged to make his way in the world unaided. He worked awhile in a paper mill until he had obtained a fair knowledge of that trade, and when had reached his majority, set out for the West. Not being blessed with any great amount of wealth, he traveled as economically as possible. He made the first stage of his journey from his home in New Hampshire to Troy, N. Y., on a wagon, thence to Buffalo by canal, and by boat from Buffalo to Cleveland, where he again traveled by canal to Portsmouth, and down the Ohio and up the Mississippi Rivers by boat to the Iowa Territory, locating in Keokuk. He at once joined his brother Thomas, who had made a claim at a point two and a half miles west of the city of Fairfield, Jefferson County, his settlement dating from November 1, 1840. They erected a frame house on their claim, the first west of Fairfield. The timbers, including rafters, were all cut and hewed from native trees, and the clapboards were split from the same material. In 1844, on the 14th of February, the brothers selected a site on Camp Creek for a tavern, where they erected three houses, two being block houses, and the other a log cabin. On the completion of the buildings, they opened a tavern which was known as the Mitchell, and became a famous half way stopping place on the route between the boundary line of the "Indian land" and Ft. Des Moines. and was on the direct road between Des Moines, Keokuk and Iowa City. Mr. MITCHELL continued with his brother two years and nine months, and then returned to the old claim in Fairfield, which they had entered, and which he still owns, having made his home thereon until March, 1890, when he removed to the city.

On the 26th of October 1847, at what is now known as Tool's Point, Jasper County, Iowa, Mr. MITCHELL was joined in wedlock with Miss Marie E., daughter of Adam TOOL. Mrs. MITCHELL was born in Washington County, Va., now West Virginia, and came to Iowa with her parents in 1842. They had spent a few years in Illinois on their way West from Virginia, and were early pioneers of Jasper County, this State. Tool's Point was named in honor of her father. Mr. and Mrs. MITCHELL have nine children living, and have lost one -- Susan Dolla, the eldest, was born September 4, 1848, and is the wife of L. L. WILKINS, of Fairfield; Effie I., who was born July 20, 1850, is now the wife of Dorr J. DIXON, of Olmsted County, Minn.; John D. was born February 26, 1853, is unmarried, and resides with his parents in Fairfield; Helen E., born May 22, 1858, is the wife of D. W. INGRAM, of Osceola, Iowa; Marietta and Henrietta, twins, who were born August 11, 1860, became the wives of F. M. ALBAUGH, of New Cumberland, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and U. B. ROGERS, of Fairfield, Iowa, respectively; Cora Adeline, who was born April 5, 1863, married Charles H. CORBETT, of Fairfield Township; Carrie T. was born March 17, 1866; Thomas A., September 12, 1870. William H., who was born October 17, 1864, died at the age of ten years.

In politics, Mr. MITCHELL was a Whig in early life, and in 1852, was elected by that party to the House of Representatives of Iowa, becoming a member of the Fourth General Assembly. Since the organization of the Republican party, he has been identified with that body, and is numbered among its active and influential supporters. For nine years he has been a member of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, and with the exception of one year has been Chairman of that body. He was also President of the Board of Directors of Fairfield Township school district, for seventeen years. During his term of service as Chairman of the County Board, he had the supervision of the construction of one hundred and forty-five bridges for the county. In 1886, Mr. MITCHELL was again elected to the Legislature, when he was forcibly reminded of the progress his State had made in the period of thirty-six years that had elapsed since he was first a member of the House. The magnificent Capitol building and the large representation; the difference in style of dress and the manner of the members, made a striking contrast to the humble quarters in Iowa City, where the young State government first met, and where the modest but cool-headed pioneer and backwoodsman for the first time perhaps, found himself bearing the responsibility of a law-maker.

Mr. MITCHELL assisted in organizing the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, and was its President for fifteen years. He was one of the founders of the State Agricultural Society at Fairfield, where the exhibitions were held the first two years. He and his family attended the Episcopal Church, but he has always been a liberal contributor to various other denominations. All matters of public interest pertaining to Fairfield or Jefferson County, have received his attention and been benefitted thereby. He has always been prompt to act, and liberal in his support of all deserving enterprises. He is possessed of good executive ability and sound judgment, and his services in public capacities have been sought and appreciated by his fellow-citizens. His strict integrity and fidelity to every trust reposed in him have won for him the utmost confidence and respect of all, regardless of party ties. While a resident of the city, Mr. MITCHELL still owns his fine farm of two hundred and ninety-five acres, one of the best improved and most valuable tracts of land in Jefferson County. His brother Thomas, of whom former mention has been made, is still living near the old tavern stand of pioneer times, but in the midst of a thriving little city that bears his name, or the name of Mitchellville. He is looked up to with great veneration as the leading spirit among the old settlers of Polk County, where he has resided nearly half a century.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Jefferson Biographies maintained by Joey Stark.
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