John J. Mitchell

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John J. Mitchell

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The old Scotch name of MITCHELL has long been known in this country, and its bearers have been noted for those qualities of industry, thrift and stern adherence to principle, so characteristic of the Scotch race. John J. MITCHELL, of Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, a well known and progressive farmer of this section, is a fine representative. John N. MITCHELL, his father, was born about two miles above Whippany, and later removed on property which had been the home of his wife, and died there at the age of sixty-four years. He married Mary Howell, who died at the age of ninety years, and who was a descendant of one of the oldest families of the section. They had children:

Walter H.,
Anna E. and
John J.

John J. MITCHELL was born in 1846, on the farm on which he is living at the present time, this having been bought from the Indians by a lineal maternal ancestor. He attended the public schools, and upon leaving these became a student in Eastman's Business College. He commenced to study civil engineering and assisted in laying out the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, but was obliged to give up this course of study because of impaired health. An out-door life appeared to promise benefit in this direction, and he accordingly engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he has achieved a very satisfactory amount of success. His farm consists of one hundred and twenty-eight acres, and these are cultivated for general produce. He is a man who thinks deeply on all public questions, and, while he gives his political support to the Republican party on general principles, he prefers, to form his opinions independently, and does not permit himself to be bound by party ties. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Parsippany. Mr. MITCHELL married Elizabeth, a daughter of Monroe HOWELL. and they have had children:

Nelson Howell, married Margaret HANWAY,
Henrietta Stevens, married Leon Adams McINTIRE.

This biography was transcribed by Ida King.