Representative William O. Mitchell View All Years

Compiled Historical Information

Date of Death: 7/29/1930

Birth Place: Van Buren County, Iowa

Birth County: Van Buren

Party Affiliation: Republican

Assemblies Served:
Senate: 26 (1896) - 27 (1898)

House: 24 (1892) - 25 (1894)

Home County: Adams

Speaker Video:

William O. Mitchell

Adams County

Adams County, long Democratic, was turned over to the Republicans in 1891, when the Hon. W. O. Mitchell was elected to the House of Representatives of the Twenty-; fourth General Assembly. It remained in line in 1893 by returning him. Mr. Mitchell was born in Bonaparte, Van Buren county, this State, April 4, 1846. His parents were George Mitchell and Sarah Hobson Mitchell, pioneers of Van Buren county. After attending the common schools at his home he went to college at Mount Vernon, Iowa. While there the war broke out and he enlisted with a number of other students in company C, 18th Iowa infantry. He served three years in Crocker's brigade, was at the siege of Vicksburg, on the Meriden march, and was captured at Atlanta July 23, 1864. For eight months thereafter he was compelled to undergo the tortures of the rebel prisons at Andersonville, Florence and Salisbury, his sufferings ending with the close of the war. Returning to Iowa, he re-entered Cornell College and in six years graduated. After leaving college he entered the law office of Stuart Brothers at Chariton, and after a year's study was admitted to practice. In law work he has been a success. In addition to law he has turned his attention to farming and livestock raising, and in this connection has occupied the office of president of the Southwestern Iowa Blue Grass League. The first public office he ever held was when he was elected to the Twenty-fourth General Assembly as Representative. The House made that honor still greater by choosing him for speaker, in which position he served with ability. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Grand Army. In Corning he is a member of the Methodist Church. He is married and has several children.

House District 13