MITCHELL, Thomas

MITCHELL, BROWN, BLAKE, SWIFT, HOXIE, DELONG, MATTERN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/8/2006 at 18:33:17

"Fairfield Ledger", July 18, 1894

Death of Thos. MITCHELL.

----

"Fairfield Tribune", July 18, 1894, Pg. 7, Col. 3

A PIONEER GONE. Death of Thomas MITCHELL, an Early Resident of this County, at his Home in Mitchellville, Iowa, Last Sunday. Founder of Mitchellville, Brother of Hon. H. B. MITCHELL of this City.

.... Mr. MITCHELL was a personal friend of John BROWN of Harper's Ferry fame and it was at his home that Mr. BROWN stayed during his last visit to the state, shortly before his tragic death. The subject of this sketch has figured prominently in so many historic events a short article can not even briefly mention them.

Born in Claremont, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, Mar. 3, 1816, one of a large family of children of William and Dolly BLAKE MITCHELL. His father died when he was 16 years old.... Returned from Iowa to Thetford, Vt., to marry Almira SWIFT Aug. 14, 1841, whom he had courted while working in a paper mill back in his eastern home. Came at once to Fairfield, remaining here until the fall of 1842, when they came to what is now Polk County, a tract of land that the government had just entered into a treaty with the Sacs and Foxes for settlement. The result of this union was five children -- Orrin, the oldest, enlisted in the 8th Iowa Cavalry and died at Waverly, Tenn., and was brought back and laid to rest at his boyhood home, Mitchellville; Mary A., wife of M. R. HOXIE, now of Taylor, Tex.; Charles, who married Lizzie DeLONG, also lives at Taylor, Tex.; Walter A., who died at the home of his brother in Taylor in 1881, and Allie, who died in infancy, before her mother's death. Almira SWIFT MITCHELL died June 16, 1860.

On 17 June 1861, Mr. MITCHELL married Anna C. MATTERN by whom he has had three children, Harry H., Maude and John.

Coming to what is now Polk County, as before stated, in 1842, Mr. MITCHELL entered the tract of land where the beautiful little city which bears his name, Mitchellville, now stands, built thereon three log cabins, 18 x 20 ft., which were the first buildings outside of Fort Des Moines, and opened for the entertainment of emigrants. One of these houses still stands at Mitchellville, a noble monument to one of Iowa's noblest pioneers. In 1846 he removed to what is now Beaver township, and named the place "Apple Grove", a name which has ever since held to it....

Also posted on the Polk County Obituaries board.

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