THOMAS BENTON MITCHELL, M. D.
Dr.
Thomas Benton Mitchell, now living retired in Derby, was for
more than a quarter of a century engaged in the practice of
medicine in various localities, devoting the years of an
active and honorable manhood to the service of his fellowmen.
In all his professional duties he has been conscientious,
utilizing every possible means to accomplish the important
tasks entrusted to him, and he has well earned the leisure and
rest which he now enjoys.
He was born near Eddyville, in Monroe county, Iowa, on
the 27th of February, 1856, and is a son of Abram
and Nancy (Spray) Mitchell, natives of Kentucky, the former
born in 1812 and the latter in 1811. The father moved with his parents into
Indiana at an early day and afterward came to Iowa as a
pioneer. In 1853
he traveled overland to Colorado but afterward returned to
this state, where he resumed his residence in Monroe county. He died in
Bloomfield, Davis county, in March, 1888, having survived his
wife for some years, her death having occurred in Lucas county
in 1876. In
their family were five children: George Russell, who was born in January,
1834, and who died in March, 1912, in Washington; Mrs. Mary
Nelson, who was born in 1842 and who died in 1912; Mrs. Amanda
Blizzard, who was born in 1845 and who is now residing in
Union township; James, who was born in 1850 and who died in
1894 in Kansas; and Dr. Thomas Benton, of this review.
The
last named came with his parents to Lucas county in 1865, at
the close of the Civil war.
He was at that time nine years of age and his education
was acquired in the public schools of this vicinity, where
after laying aside his books he taught for five terms. Having determined
to study medicine, he entered Rush Medical College in Chicago
but completed his professional studies in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons in the same city, graduating from the
latter institution in 1883.
He immediately began the practice of his profession at
Ashton, Missouri, and there continued for seven years, or
until 1890, when he returned to Chicago to take up practice
there, remaining in that city for eighteen years thereafter. Throughout his
professional career he was imbued with a laudable ambition for
advancement, knowing how important are the duties which
devolve upon the physician.
He was accorded a liberal patronage and throughout the
years he kept in touch with the modern trend of professional
thought by his wide reading and research and his developing
powers and wide experience brought him broad and accurate
knowledge. He
retired from active practice in 1908, his health being
impaired, and returned to Iowa, building a modern and
attractive home near Derby, where he is recuperating by
following the simple life.
Here in their beautiful residence, surrounded by every
comfort, he and his estimable wife are securing all the
enjoyment that comes to those who have gained a goodly
competence in an honorable way.
They are extensive readers and their library is one of
the finest to be found in Lucas county.
Dr.
Mitchell married, in Ashton, Missouri, on the 12th
of October, 1886, Miss Stella Blythe, a native of Boone
county, that state, born in 1869. She grew to womanhood there, attending
the common schools and supplementing this by a course in
Stevens College at Columbia, Missouri, and a course in music
in Chicago. Her
father, Rev. George Blythe, was born in Missouri and died in
Montana, while pursuing his ministerial duties at Boulder,
that state. Her
mother, who was in her maidenhood Alice Keene, was born in
Missouri and is now residing with her daughter. In the Blythe
family were three children:
Mrs. Mitchell; Mrs. Mae Penn, of Troy, Missouri, the
wife of the present prosecuting attorney of Lincoln county;
and Arthur, who resides in Denver, Colorado.
Fraternally Dr. Mitchell is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of Foresters, the Independent Order of Foresters and two organizations of the Sons of St. George. He is affiliated also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, belonging to Maddock Lodge in Chicago, and he is a member of one of the most exclusive fraternal organizations in existence—the Ancient Order of Druids. His religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Baptist church and he holds membership in the church of this denomination in Chicago. In politics he is independent, voting always according to his personal convictions without regard to party lines, and he has taken an active and prominent part in community affairs, cooperating heartily in everything that pertains to the promotion of the community advancement and upbuilding. The cause of education has found in him a loyal supporter and as president of the board of education he is accomplishing a great deal of beneficial and lasting work, now devoting his energies to securing for Derby a new and modern school building. Dr. Mitchell is well known among the leading physicians of this state and elsewhere and has at all times enjoyed the highest regard of his brethren in the medical fraternity because of his close conformity to high standards of professional ethics. Moreover, he has always displayed the qualities of honorable and upright manhood and has given largely of his rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. His name is honored wherever it is known and most of all where it is best known.