Rotheus Hayward Mitchell (1823-1891)

MITCHELL, MOTT, BIXBY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/4/2016 at 22:00:52

From Nevada Representative May 20, 1891

Rotheus Hayward Mitchell.

In the death of Mr. Mitchell which occurred at this home in this city Friday morning, May 10, 1891, Story Co. has lost one of its earliest and most highly respected citizens. He was a native of New Hampshire and was born January 4, 1823. His lineage is traceable back through a long line of prominent and patriotic New England ancestry--mostly of Massachusetts--to Experience Mitchell who came over with the Pilgrim Fathers in the third ship "Ann" in 1623, and settled in Plymouth. he moved with his parents in 1836 to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where in common school and academy he acquaintanced a good education. For several years he taught school winters and during the summers worked at his trade of millwright. In 1854 he was married to Miss Berintha R. Mott and in 1856 took up his abode in Nevada where he resided until death called him hence. His first wife died in 1864 and two years later he was married to Hannah C. Bixby, who survives him.

The illness which caused his death was of a year or more duration. Since March last he was confined most of the time to the house and since the first of April to his bed. He was a patient and uncomplaining sufferer, willing to live or willing to die as might be the will Him who is the creator and preserver of all. His funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon in the Adventist church by Elder L. T. Nicola of Des Moines, and were largely attended by relatives and friends and by the associates of the deceased in the early settlement of the town.

Mr. Mitchell, though a man of few words and unassuming manners, was possessed or varied information and substantial worth. He shared in a large measure the confidence of his fellow citizens, and during most of the 35 years of his residence in the county has held some office of public trust. He was county judge from '66 to '70, also by virtue of his judgship county auditor during the year '69, and county surveyor continuously from '74 to the time of his death. He was thoroughly informed on the current questions of the times and by precept and practice helpful to the best interests of society. He was great reader with a special fondness for books ancient in time and topic, of which his library held several interesting specimens.

Mr. Mitchell was very active in behalf of the State Agricultural College and assisted very largely in its location in the county; and was at all times a warm friend of educational institutions. He had clear conceptions of duty, wasn conscientious and thoroughly honest in all his dealings with individuals or the public, and was unswerving to his devotion to principle and right. He was very constant in his friendships and was appreciated and respected most by those who knew him best. The influence of his upright and spotless life will always abide; and by the people of Nevada, and especially by those who knew him through the earlier years of the settlement and growth of town and county, he will be long and kindly remembered.