James Walter Scott Mitchell

As printed in 1912

JAMES WALTER SCOTT MITCHELL.

A very creditable and worthy representative of one of the sterling old families of Knox county is James Walter Scott Mitchell, successful young farmer of Union township, a man who has succeeded at his chosen life work because he has not depended upon anyone to do his work, believing in being self-reliant, honest and straightforward in all the relations of life and he is therefore deserving of the confidence and good will of his fellow men.

Mr. Mitchell was born on the farm lie now owns in Union township, January 26, 1881, and is the son of W. O. C. and Sarah Ellen (Boyer) Mitchell. The paternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers in Allen county. He was a farmer and there spent the rest of his life, dying many years ago. The maternal grandparents were natives of England and early settlers in Auglaize county and there spent the rest of his life. The father of the subject was born in Allen county, Ohio, in 1831 and the mother in 1839. He was a carpenter by trade and a stock shipper, which he followed until 1876, when he came to Knox county and engaged in the milling business at Millwood. About four years later he traded the mill for a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Union and Butler townships and there spent the balance of his life, having sold about fifty acres of his farm prior to his death to the Millwood White Sand Company. His death occurred in March, 1907. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-two years. Politically, he was a Democrat, and a man who took an active part in political and public affairs. He was the man who founded the special Millwood district and made it possible to have a high school here. He and his wife were members of the Methodist church, having joined the Millwood church soon after coming to this locality. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Moses Mac McCoy, John Marion Alfonso, Charles Delmont, Minnie Milinda Rose, Mary Jane Eugene is deceased; Royal Noble Desmond, and James Walter Scott, of this review.

James W. S. Mitchell, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and received his education in the Millwood and Ddnville high school, graduating in the year 1902. Early in life, while living at Sand Plant, he learned the machinist’s trade, but he took up farming, which has been his chief life work. He and his brother. Moses Mac, bought one hundred and twenty-five acres of the home place, and the subject also owns twenty acres in Butler township. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stock man, being widely known as a breeder of Delaine sheep and Percheron horses, also has bred Welsh ponies, and because his stock has been of superior grade they have found a very ready market.

Politically, Mr. Mitchell is a Democrat. He has filled a number of township offices, such as trustee for one term, and is now school director in Millwood, a special district. During camp meeting seasons Mr. Mitchell rents the “Caves” (a resort) to religious societies for revival purposes. His wife is a member of the Disciples church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Patrons of Industry and the Maccabees.

Mr. Mitchell was married in 1902 to Alma Beal, a native of Knox county, where she grew up and was educated. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Phoebe (Strieker) Beal, he a veteran of the Civil war and still living. Three children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, namely: Robert Ottowa, Charlotte Resale and Benjamin Gordon.

The father of the subject was one of the best known and most influential men in this section of Knox county. In connection with farming, which for years he superintended, while his sons did the actual work, he conducted a general store at the Caves, enjoying a good trade.

As printed in Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.