MITCHELL, John C.

MITCHELL, FERGUSON, SEPTER, ROE, WEIR, MCCOMMONS

Posted By: Norma Jennings (email)
Date: 10/25/2011 at 22:02:57

JOHN C. MITCHELL, section 12, Marion Township, is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in Clarke County, Ga., in 1817, and is the son of George and Sarah Mitchell. He left Georgia in 1835, and went to Blount County, Tenn., where he grew to manhood on a farm. His father died when he was an infant, and when he was between five and six years old his mother gave him to David Shay, with whom he lived until the death of the latter, when he went to Tennessee, as already stated, in company with the widow. In 1852, Mr. Mitchell came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled on section 6, Crawford Township, where he rented a farm, and lived two years. He then entered eighty acres of raw land on section 12, Marion Township, erecting a house, in which he moved, and where he still lives. He is now the owner of 115 acres of good land, the greater part being under improvement.

Mr. Mitchell was married in 1841, to Mary Ann Ferguson, a native of Tennessee. To them were born ten children: Andrew J., now in Gove County, Kan., engaged in farming; Susan, the wife of John Septer, of Ringgold County, Iowa; Amy K., wife of A.L. Roe, of Jewell County, Kan.; James L., now engaged in farming in Crawford township; William H., now in Rawlins County, Kan.; Mary A. died in infancy; Henry H., also deceased; Sarah Jane, wife of John Weir, of Greeley County, Neb.; Margaret and Julia Ann, twins, died in infancy. Mrs. Mitchell died April 28, 1865, aged forty-five years, and in 1866 Mr. Mitchell married Mrs. Eliza McCommons, a native of Tennessee, and widow of Thomas McCommons. Her maiden name was Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Politically, our subject is a Republican, and was from a boy always strongly opposed to slavery. While a citizen of Tennessee, he was made Lieutenant of a company in the State Militia, and was subsequently promoted Captain, and then made a Major and placed in command of a battalion. Left an orphan at a very tender age, it may readily be understood that the opportunity for self-culture was not very great, and the educational advantages were very meager indeed. But, notwithstanding his lack of education, he has by reading and contact with men, become quite well informed, and is able to express himself intelligently upon most questions of public interest. By good management and economy, he has secured enough of this world's goods to render him comfortable in his old age. In the neighborhood where he resides, and where he is best known he is univerally respected.