MITCHELL, Thomas 'Tom': 1847-1935

MITCHELL, GOULD, CARTNAL

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/5/2014 at 18:15:35

THOMAS MITCHELL, AGED FARMER, HAD WRITTEN LIFE STORY
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Had Been a Resident of Farmington Township For 65 Years

The Record tells the story this week of the passing of Tom Mitchell. An Englishman who came to the United States sixty-five years ago to make his home, locating on a farm in Farmington township and making that his home until the time of his release.

He was a good friend of this newspaper, dropping in frequently for a friendly chat. His word was good. If he made you a promise he kept it. If you made him a promise he expected you to keep it.

He wrote a sketch of his own life several years ago and gave it to his son, Donald, to use as his obituary after completing the dates, etc. This life story is incorporated with the following obituary.
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Thomas Cornwall Mitchell, second son of William and Eliza Mitchell, was born in Winchelsea, Sussex county, England, on the 17th day of July, 1847, and died at his home in Farmington township, Van Buren county, Iowa, on the morning of April 26, 1935, at the advance age of 87 years, 9 months and 9 days.

In early life he was apprenticed to and learned the trade of ship carpenter at the Port of Rye, Sussex, England to Hoad Brothers, ship builders and worked at that trade for one year after he came out of his apprenticeship.

He emigrated to the United States in the year 1869 at the age of 22 years, coming directly to the State of Iowa. He located in Farmington township in 1871 and engaged in farming.

Returning to England in 1888 he was united in marriage with Sarah Louise Gould in the parish church at Wincehlsea on Jan. 17, 1889, who came to the Iowa farm where they made their home, and who preceded him in death on Dec. 31, 1918.

To this union were born three children, James Claise, who died on June 8, 1909, and Mrs. Mabel Cartnal of Farmington and Donald R. Mitchell of Bonaparte.

Besides his son and daughter above mentioned he is survived by five grandchildren-Evelyn and Edith Cartnal, and Mary Louise, Ivan and Robert Mitchell. There are also two brothers and one sister remaining of the original thirteen member of the Mitchell family-Horace Mitchell of Oleny, Ill., and Jack Mitchell and Miss Anna Mitchell of England.

Following the death of his wife he continued to make his home on the farm until the day of his death, with the exception of about nine years in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cartnal.

Tom Mitchell was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a loyal friend. He will be greatly missed in the community where he has for so many years made his home.

Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock at the Story chapel, Rev. Harvey Butler of Farmington officiating. Singing by the Gaston-Wolfe quartet. Interment in Thompson cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book D, Page 27, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA