Mikesill, John W. (1829-1911)

MIKESILL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 19:38:17

John W. Mikesill
Nov 1829 - Nov 17, 1911

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.630)
J. W. MIKESILL, proprietor of a general store at 2300 West Broadway, Council Bluffs, established his business in September 1888 and carries a stock of some $2,500. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, in November 1829, the son of John H. and Phoebe (BIRCH) MIKESILL, natives of Virginia and New York, and of Scotch and Irish descent. They had a family of eight children, five of whom are still living. Our subject, the third child and the only one residing in this state, was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1840 he came to Iowa with his parents, locating in Marion County, where he grew to manhood and where his parents died. When he was twenty years of age, he engaged in the mercantile business at Red Rock, Iowa, and in 1851 took a trip to California, passing through Council Bluffs. He remained in that state some eight years, and was engaged in mining, mercantile business, and also operated a water ditch for mining purposes. In the spring of 1860, he returned to this state, where he remained until 1870, when he again started for California, but stopped at Council Bluffs, where he has since remained. He first engaged in the stock business, but drifted into real estate, which he continued two years. In 1888, he commenced his present business, and has since acquired considerable property. His home is at No. 2206 Avenue A. Politically, he has always been a strong supporter of the Democratic Party, and in the spring of 1890 was elected Alderman of the Sixth Ward.

Mr. MIKESILL was married in 1861 to Miss Catherine ALLEY, a native of Indiana, but was reared in Iowa. They have a family of six children: Uba, wife of John CLATTERBUCK; Robert P., deceased; Caroline J., wife of Ira BENGE of Council Bluffs; Bettie, at home; William J., Donnelly C., John W. and Horace, deceased. The mother is a member of the Christian Church, while the father holds to the Spiritualistic faith.