Henry Blake Mitchell 1818-1912

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

Posted By: Michel Tool Daniels (email)
Date: 4/3/2003 at 12:57:14

"Portrait & Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties-1890"
Hon. Henry Blake Mitchell, a widely known and highly respected pioneer of Jefferson Co., whose residence here covers half a century, is a native of New Hampshire. He was born in the town of Claremont, Sullivan CO., on July 5, 1818, and is a son of Wm. and Dolly Mitchell. His father was born in Boston Mass., in 1768, of English parentage, and in early life became a farmer amidst 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 day to cultivate a spirit of independence and self-reliance that has characterizer 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 he had reached him 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 New York 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 2 1/2 miles west of the city of Fairfield, Jefferson CO., his settlement dating from Nov 1, 1840. They erected a frame house on their claim, the first west of Fairfield. The timbers including rafters, were all cut & hewed from native trees, and the clapboards were split from the same material. In 1844, on Feb 14, the brothers selected a site on Camp Creek for a tavern, where they erected three houses, two being blockhouses 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 halfway 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 9 months, and then returned to the old claim in Fairfield, which they had enterd, and which he still owns, having made his home thereon until March of 1890 when he removed to the city. On Oct. 26, 1847, at what is now known as Tool's Point, Jssper Co., IA, Mr. Mitchell was joined in wedlock with Miss Marie E. Daughter of Adam Tool. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Washington CO., VA., now West VA., and came to IA with her parents in 1842. They had spent a few years in IL, on the way west from VA , and were early pioneers of Jasper County IA. Tool's Point was named in honor of her father. Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell have nine children living, and have lost one--Susan Dolla, the eldest was born Sep 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 CO., MN; John D was born Feb 26, 1853, is unmarried and resided with his parents in Fairfield; Helen E, born May 22, 1858, is the wife of D.W. Ingram, of Osceola IA; Marietta and Henrietta twins who were born Aug 11, 1860, became the wives of FM Albaugh of New Cumberland Tuscaraway CO., OH and U.B. Rogers of Fairfield, IA respectively; Cora Adeline, who was born Apr 5, 1863, married Charles H. Corbett of Fairfield township; Carrie T. was born Mar 17, 1866; Thomas A. Sep 12, 1870. William H. who was born Oct 17, 1864 died at the age of ten years. In politics, Mr. Mitchell was a Whig in early life,a dn in 1852 was elected by that party to the House of Representatives of IA; becoming a member of the 4th Gen. 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 9 years he has been a member of the Jefferson Co. 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 Twp School District, for 17 years. During his term of service as Chairman of the County Board, he had the ssupervision of the construction of 145 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 36 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 coolheaded pioneer and backwoodsman for the first time perhaps found himself bearing the responsibility of a law maker. Mr. Mitchell assisted in orgainizing the Jefferson Co. Agricultural Society and was its first President for 15 years. He was one of the founders of the State Agricultural Society at Fairfielld, where the exhibitions were held the first 2 years. He and his family attend the Episcoopal Church, but he has always been a liberal contributor to various other denominations. All matters of public interest pertaining to Fairfield or Jefferson Co., have received his attention and been benefited therby. he has always been prompt to act, and liberal in his bupport 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 295 aces on of the best-imporved and most valuable tracts of land in Jefferson CO. 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 of the name of Mitchellville. He is looked up to with great veneration as the leading spirit among the old settlers of Polk Co., where he has resided nearly half a century.