William Jeremiah Mitchell

As printed in 1882

WILLIAM JEREMIAH MITCHELL.

The subject of this sketch was born in Boone county, Missouri, December 7, 1840. He was raised on a farm, four miles northeast of Rocheport, and educated at the Walnut Grove school house. He is the son of Newman Mitchell, Sr., one of the pioneer settlers of Boone county. When twenty-one years old he began working on a farm owned by his father. This place was given to him in 1867, and in 1874 he exchanged it for a farm in the same vicinity, and in 1876 exchanged this for the place he now occupies, one and one-half miles east of Walnut Grove church. His farm contains, one hundred and thirty acres. He is actively engaged in farming and stock raising. During the years intervening between 1862 and 1872, he travelled extensively in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. He is a member of the Walnut Grove Baptist church, and has been since 1864.

JAMES HARVEY m'GHEE.

James H. McGhee, son of Wyatt and Jane R. McGhee, was born in Washington county, Virginia, near Seven Mile Ford, July 4, 1818. In 1824 he came with his parents to Missouri, and settled near what is now known as Walnut Grove church, on the Rocheport and Columbia rock road. He remained with his parents until 1839, when he was married, January 29th, to Mary, daughter of Abram Funk, of Boone county. He then moved on to a farm in the Perche bottom, belonging to his father, situated near his present home, which was given to him by his father. In 1859 Mr. McGhee made a trip to Pike's Peak inquest of gold, reports of rich diggings having reached Missouri from that region. Finding none he returned home, remaining only two weeks in the mountains. In 1838 he was commissioned by the governor an oflSicer in the State militia. The troops were called out to put down the Mormon insurrection, and Mr. McGhee, among others, responded promptly to the call, and remained under arms until the difficulty was settled. In 1836, he assisted the government surveying party;, under William Shields, of Boone county, while surveying the southwestern portion of this State. During the late war Mr. Mo- Ghee was an earnest, out-spoken friend of the South, and suffered scAerely for his advocacy of Southern principles. He was early idea* titled with the South, having been deputized to enroll the militia of Missouri township. In 1863 he was arrested by the United States troops, on the charge of giving aid and comfort to Confederate soldiers. He was first imprisoned at Columbia, then taken to St. Louis, and finally to Kichmond, Virginia, to be exchanged, but being a citizen he could not be disposed of in this way. He was finally discharged, but as he was returning home he was arrested at St. Louis, and made to give a bond of $2,000 before he was allowed his freedom. He has five children, Mary Jane, wife of James S. Langdon, of Texas; -James W., of Columbia, Mary Ellen, wife of Melvin P. McGhee, of Leadville, Colorado; Henry A., of Boone; and William Wallace, of <3olambia, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. McGhee are members of the Locust Grove Methodist church.

As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.