Senator of the Fourteenth district, Mahaska county, was born in the county which he represents, January 27, 1863. He was educated in the public schools. At the age of seventeen took two years general course in Oskaloosa College. For six years he taught in the public schools of his county, spending his vacations on his father's 1,000 acre farm. In 1890, he was appointed to a position in the United States census office in Washington, D.C. Two years later he was called to a position in the United States government printing office. During his incumbency of these positions he attended the University of Washington from which he graduated with Master's Degree of Law. He later took a post-graduate course in Columbian University law school, and was admitted to the practice of law in the United States courts. Since the death of his father he has engaged in farming and stock raising in Mahaska county on his farm which is known as "Mitchell Meadows."

Senator of the fourteenth district, Mahaska county, was born in the county which he represents, January 27, 1863. He was educated in the public schools of Mahaska county and entered Oskaloosa college at the age of seventeen, remaining two years and taking a general course. During the six years that followed he taught in the public schools of his county, spending his vacations at work on the 1,000 acre farm owned by his father. In 1890, he was appointed to a position in the United States census office in Washington, D.C. Two years later he was called to a position in the United States government printing office. During his incumbency of these positions he attended the University of Washington from which he graduated with Master's Degree of Law. He later took a post-graduate course in Columbian University law school, graduating with honors, and was admitted to the practice of law in the United States courts. Upon the death of his father he returned to his home in Mahaska county and entered into the avocation in which he has since been engaged; farming and stock raising. Since then he has resided on his farm which is known throughout the country as "Mitchell Meadows." He had never held an office until elected senator from his county in 1916 by the republican party, a political faith espoused by his father before him and the party to which he has given his life-long allegiance.