MITCHELL, ROBERT W.

MITCHELL

Posted By: Doretta Pimlott Cowman (email)
Date: 4/16/2013 at 14:43:42

The 1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

Sugar Creek Township

Page 686-7

MITCHELL, ROBERT W. -- Chairmaker, Searsboro. Was born in Washington county, Indiana, on the 24th of June, 1837, and hence is now but forty-three years of age. He removed from this county in early childhood to Henry county, in the same State, where he remained, laboring on the farm and enduring the hardships incident to the farmers of all newly settled country. In 1858 he removed from Indiana to Iowa, settling in Jasper county, where he remained until the breaking out of the war, when, like thousands of young and patriotic men of the young State of Iowa, he shouldered his musket and went out in defense of liberty and union, enlisting in company D, Fortieth Iowa volunteer infantry, being mustered into the United States service August 22, 1862. Participated in the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Saline River and Prairie d' Ann, and was mustered out of the service August 22, 1865, having served out his time, when he returned to his old home in Jasper county, where he remained about one year, following the business of a carpenter, and then removed to this county and engaged in farming for about ten years, when he sold his farm and engaged in bridge building for about one year, when he again established himself in his old business, chairmaking. He has a good shop and all the machinery necessary for his business, most of which he has improved with his own hands. Has on hand a good stock of material and expects to go into the manufacturing of chairs for the wholesale trade. Searsboro has a right to be proud of so enterprising a citizen, and of the business which he is opening up in their little town.