The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-01-31
MR.. MITCHELL
OF LAUDERDALE

John Jackson Mitchell, the leader Of ths
democratic majority in the house of repre-
sentatives of the present Alabama general
assembly, and one of the ablest and most
conspicuous men now in the public life of
the state, is in his forty-fifth year. having
been borg in Lauderdale county, September
To- 1854. He was the author in the last Leg
islatnre of the famous tax commission act.
now commonly called the back tax law, and
at present is chairman of the ways and
means committee and also the special rev.
enue committee of the house, the latter of
which formed the state revenue bill now
pending before the assembly.
Judge MtehelPs father, the Rev. w. H.
Mitchell, D. D. came to America from
County Monaghan. Ireland, in the 40s and
was pastor of the Presbyterian church at
Florence from 1850 till his death in 1872, and
was also president of the Florence
Synodical college from 1856 till 1872. The
judges mother was Miss Jackson daughter
of James Jackson, who also came from
County Monaghan, Ireland, and settled in
Lauderdale in 1913. before Alabama was adj
mittetd to the union as a state. Mr.. jack
son was of the most famous breeders
of race horses of his day, being the importer
great sires. In the sos he was one of the
ablest legislators of tho state.
Judge Mitchell was educated at the Flor
ence Wesleyan university, the University of
Mississippi and Cumberland university, at
Lebanon, Tenn In June, 1875, he was
licensed TO practice law; having graduated
from the Lebanon Law school. He did not
practice law, however. but turned his brill
liant mind to newspaper work and from 1876
to 1881 he was editor of the Florence Ga-
zette, which he made great power In the
politics Of the Tennessee valley. He has
been interested in various other newspaper
enterprises. In 1886 he was elected probate
judge of Lauderdale county, and continued
in that office during the famous boom
days. He was elected to the lower house
OF the general assembly in 1896, and became
the author of the Back Tax law, besides
making the impress of his ability felt on
legislation generally. He became at once
natural leader of the house, and buided for
himself a reputation for zeal, earnestness
and soundness of Judgment that will sur
vive for many year. He was reelected to
the legislature on the Back Tax issue in
1898, and became the official leader of the
house after the organization last Novem-
Der.
Judge Mitchell's legislative career is prob
ably the most remarkable in the recent his
tory of the state. When it is remembered
that he has served only about eighty days
altogether, his achievements loom up as
extraordinary
Physically, Judge Mitchell is below the
average man in height and chest measure
ment. His face is almost boyish in its
youthful appearance, but its lines and feat
ures are those of strong intellectual man.
He is sunny-faced, sunny-haired; his eyes
are of blue-gray. His face reminds one of
the miniature portrait of gallant
knight of the olden time. He is graceful
and gracious; at all times keenly alert and
at all times marked by princely courtesy.
He could not be uncivil, is quite incapable
of unseemly boisterousness. All over his
genial face there is written determination,
the spirit to dare and to do. In all the
lations of life he bears himself worthiy,
commanding the respectful esteem of all
men and the personal attachment of thou
sands. He is cordial in his manners and
sympathetic, and when occasion arises Is
beneYolently tolerant of every thing that is
not unjust dishonest. He is constantly
studious and his reading covers wide
range of human knowledge. The science OF
government interests him most and that is
we'll for the people whom he is likely to
serve in high places in the years to come.
At "A, Judge MitchelPs career has just
begun. 1t requires no gift of prophecy to
beSpeak as being in store for him exalted
honors. During the next twenty or thirty
years he will play a great part as political
and social leader, for he is one who is UNI
derstanded of the people. l.. ]. w.