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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 110 - 111 |
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AUSTIN W. MITCHELL
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The well known family of which the subject of this review was an honored representative, has been identified with the history of Michigan in different capacities since the early settlement of the state, the name appearing in connection with the material growth and development of various localities in which the Mitchells figured prominently as pioneers. The descendants of the original settlers have been active in carrying forward the work so auspiciously begun by the latter and for a number of years no name has been more prominent in business and industrial circles, or more actively identified with the material prosperity of the different parts of the commonwealth in which, for several generations, it has been so well and familiarly known. Conspicuous among the representatives of this old and highly esteemed family was the late Austin W. Mitchell, of Cadillac, a man of strong mentality, sound judgment, ripe business experience and deep human sympathies, whose untimely death, about one year ago, under peculiar and distressing circumstances, while on his way to Japan, caused a cloud of sadness to settle over Cadillac and bring sorrow to every home in the city. Mr. Mitchell was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, July 5, 1852, the son of Charles T. and Harriet S. (Wing) Mitchell, the latter a daughter of Hon. Austin E. Wing, a pioneer settler of the city of Monroe, and one of the state's first representatives in the lower house of the national congress. Blessed with the best of home training and favored with exceptional advantages for intellectual improvement, young Mitchell, after completing the usual grade-school course, was graduated from the high school of his native city and in 1870 entered the University of Michigan where he prosecuted his duties for a period of two years. Leaving the latter institution after finishing the sophomore year, he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for the third district by Harvey B. Rowlson, in which capacity he served until 1875, when he resigned his position and for several years thereafter devoted his attention to the lumber business in Hillsdale. In 1879 Mr. Mitchell bought a section of pine land in Cedar Creek township, Wexford county, and in March of the following year began the manufacture of lumber at Bond's mill, continuing the business for four years, the meantime, 1882, becoming senior member of the firm of Mitchell Brothers, which, under his capable direction and able management, attained a growth and importance second to no similar enterprise in the northwestern part of the state. The initial movement of the firm was the purchase of fifty million feet of timber at Jennings, Missaukee county, and the erection of a mill in that town, and in addition to this and subsequent operations in the general lumber business the subject became interested in the Cadillac Handle Factory, besides buying with his brother an extensive tract of valuable timber in New Mexico. Mr. Mitchell's business experience, which extended over a period of twenty years, was eminently successful, as is attested by the fact that during that time he not only earned for the large enterprise of which he was the head a wide reputation in commercial and industrial circles, but accumulated a private fortune second in magnitude to few if any in this section of the state. For a number of years he devoted his attention exclusively to pine lumber, but in 1893 the firm began the manufacturing of maple flooring, which soon grew in magnitude and importance, necessitating a gradual enlargement of the milling facilities until in due season their plant covered an area of three acres of ground, being eight hundred feet long, two hundred feet wide and as well an equipped mill for the manufacture of polished flooring as there is in the United States. In connection With these various lumber interests the firm also constructed many miles of logging railroad for the purpose of supplying their mill with logs, the supervision of the business and the management of its different departments falling almost entirely upon the shoulders of the senior member of the company. Mr. Mitchell ever manifested a pardonable pride in the growth and material development of Cadillac and as long as he lived in the city was an influential factor in all of its affairs. He served five or six years as alderman and in that capacity was instrumental in the interests of the municipality in many ways, standing at all times for progress and improvement and proving a careful, painstaking and capable public servant, his official service throughout being highly creditable to himself and to the people to whom he so faithfully and efficiently served; at the expiration of his last term in the city council he was made a member of the board of education, which position he held by successive re-elections for a number of years, his labors as chairman of the committee on teachers being influential in bringing the school system up to the standard for which it has ever since been noted. Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Spaulding of Greenville, Michigan, the union being blessed with two offspring, Marian and DeWitt C., who with their mother are still living in San Diego, California. By reason of failing health, the result of long-continued hard work and over exertions, Mr. Mitchell in 1900 retired temporarily from the management of the Mitchell Brothers lumber operations and sought the rest and recreation of which he had so long stood in such imperative need. After spending several months in his boyhood home in Hillsdale, he joined his family in San Diego, California, but the climate of the Pacific coast not producing the desired results, it was decided three or four months later that he should take an ocean voyage. Dr. Carroll E. Miller, his family physician, accompanied him from San Francisco and on the 9th of August, 1902, they took passage at the latter city for Honolulu, the beginning of a contemplated tour of the world. All of Mr. Mitchell's active life was closely devoted to his business in its various capacities and during a long period of active endeavor he attained enviable distinction in the world of affairs, while his whole-heartedness and eminent social qualities made him a friend to all with whom he had business or other relations. In his life he was the very embodiment of enterprise and enthusiastic optimism and in addition to pushing all his own undertakings to successful completion he gave a willing and hearty support to every movement having for its object the material or social advancement of the community. Personally he was of attractive appearance and pleasing address, a fine specimen of symmetrically developed American manhood, and he moved among his fellows as one born to leadership and who always made his presence felt in whatever capacity his abilities were exercised. He loved to mingle with his fellow men, regardless of calling, and was ever the faithful friend and genial companion of all classes and conditions of people. His was a proud, liberal mind, optimistic in all the term implies, but exclusive in the sense that nothing savoring in the slightest degree of insincerity, hypocrisy or cant could for a moment find lodgement therein. He was truly a manly man, best liked by those who knew him most intimately, and, like a ray of sunshine, he often illuminated and made bright the pathway of those into whose lives fortune cast no glittering favors. We close this brief review of Mr. Mitchell by quoting from the News and Express the following appropriate reference to his life and character, published upon the receipt in Cadillac of the sad news of his death: "In Cadillac there is sincere sorrow because of the tragic
ending of the life of Mr. Mitchell. During his twenty years of active
participation in the affairs of the city, both as a business man and public
official, his ideals were high, his purposes honest and his plans were for the
benefit of his fellow men. He labored zealously not only for himself and his
family, but also for his employes, his neighbors and his friends. He gave of his
wealth to the poor and the needy and was a willing helper in all public affairs.
He listened not only to the recital of ambitious plans of those in high places,
but to the cry of the lowly, of the widow and the orphan and of those to whom
sorrow, affliction and poverty had come he gave heed. |