William Hayes Mitchell

As printed in 1912

WILLIAM HAYES MITCHELL.

At this point we are permitted to touch upon the life history of one who, if for no other reason, merits recognition of his lifelong residence in Milford township and a representative of one of the sterling old families of Knox county. But superadded to this circumstances are others which render the appearance of this biography within these pages all the more consistent, for he attained a position of prominence in connection with the business activities of his community, and was honored as one of the upright, genial and reliable citizens, his home life being the center of a cordial hospitality.

William Hayes Mitchell was born in Milford township, this county, January 3, 1854, the son of Almon Mitchell and wife, a well known family of this county, a complete sketch of whom is to be found on another page of this work.

William H. Mitchell was educated in the township schools and reared on the home farm. In 1872 he was married, and then entered the mercantile business with his father-in-law at Lock, continuing the business alone after the death of his partner. He remained in this life of endeavor in all about thirty-seven years. His father-in-law had begun the business in 1854 and the family still conduct the store.

Politically, Mr. Mitchell was a Republican and served as township treasurer for a period of nineteen years, this certainly being evidence of his good standing in his locality, and he made a most faithful and efficient public servant. Both he and Mrs. Mitchell belonged to the Congregational church at Lock. Fraternally, he belongs to the Centerburg lodge of Free and Accepted Masons: lie was a member of the independent Order of Odd Fellows at the same place.

Mr. Mitchell was married in 1872 to Ida Hildreth, who was born in Lock, this county, on September 2, 1856. She is the daughter of Washington and Harriet Hildreth. The father was born in New York and the mother in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1836. The father came to Ohio with his parents when a boy, but he lived with the Delano family for a number of years. He was the son of Minor and Nancy Hildreth, of New York. She died young and his father re-married. Mrs. Mitchell’s mother, who was born in Delaware county, later moved to Brandon, Knox county, thence to Lock, where her death occurred.

Washington Hildreth was a merchant, having begun his career at Brandon in 1853, coming to Lock a year later, and he enjoyed a liberal trade there. In early life he taught school, later he clerked and then went into business for himself, and was successful all along the line. He was a public-spirited citizen and influential in his community, a man of exemplary habits and many warm friends. For about thirty years he served as postmaster at the town of Lock, giving eminent satisfaction to the department and to the people. Mr. Mitchell, the subject of this sketch, followed him as the incumbent of that office. The death of Mr. Hildreth occurred in January, 1902.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, named as follows: Winnifred Estelle, wife of Eugene Cornell; Minnie Belle, wife of C. C. Jackson; Hattie May, who lives at home; Anna Laura, who died in infancy; Arthur Hildreth married Mabel E. Hess, both of whom were graduated from the Mt. Vernon high school in 1905; Laurence Washington, who married Mildred McManus, is managing the store; Almon Maurice is a student in the Mt. Vernon high school. William H. Mitchell died January 30, 1910, after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and three sons.

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.