Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-08-27
JUDGE MITCHELL DEAD.
A Noted Minnesota Jurist Pass
es Away.
He Formerly Lived in MorgantoWn
Where he Taught inthe old Academy
Married Jane HaaWay-An Upright
Man and an Able Judge lie Leaves
an Honorable Record.

Morgantown friends regretted to
learn of the death of Judge Mitchell
which occurred at Alexandria, Min
nesota, on the 2lst where he was sum
mering at private club house.
Judge Mitchell lived in Morgantown
many years ago and married for his
first wife Jane Hanway He Is we'll
remembered and highly esteemed by
the older residents of the place. The
following in reference TO him is taken
from the st. Paul Pioneer Press of
the 22nd:
The news OF Judge Mitchell's death
came as distinct shock to the com
munity where he had so long made his
home, which will be shared through
out the state to which he had so long
given such distinguished service and
upon whose jurisprudence he had re-
fected such luster. Upon the re-
ceipt of the sad intelligence at the cap
itol, Gov. Lind at once ordered the
flag half-masted and the public offices
closed as a mark of respect. Later
occasion will probably be taken TO pay
more formal honors TO the memory OF
| the deceased.
The supreme court is not In session
and none of the justices with whom
| Judge Mitchell was associated on the
bench are in the city Attorney
General Douglas was profoundly af-
fected by the news. Judge Mitch.
ellis death removes one Of the clearest
ord erraatact laual ~, ipde ~ tl,a NnrtI,
west, he laid. ITO members of the
bar his long service on the bench has
served to make him seem a part of
our Jurisprudence and to those who
knew him best his .oyalty to the high
eft ethics of the profession, his broad
mindedness and his genial courtesy
will be recalled as an inspiration
Judge Mitchell sat upon the su.
preme bench for almost nineteen years
having been elected for three full
terms without opposition. Before
that he served seven years upon the
bench OF the Third judicial district,
making a record Of twenty six years
service Of the state in a judicial ca
| pacity. While on the supreme bench
he wrote many opinions, covering a
wide range Of subjects, all of which
have been studied with respect and
approval. Many of them have found
their way into the text books and are
quoted all over the land as leading
cases on the subjects to which they
refer.
Judge Mitchell came into the world
well endowed with all the mental ac-
tivity and kindly shire wdness inherited
from an ancestry that was purely
Scotch His father, John Mitchell
and his mother, Mary Henderson we're
both born in the old country. Their
son was born Nov. 10, 1892 sixty
eight years ago-at Stanford, county
Of Welland, Ontario, on the old Nj
agara peninsula of Canada, not far
from the falls. He was prepared for
college in private schools in his home
county. In l84S at sixteen years Of
age, he entered Jefferson college, Can
onsburg, Pa, and was graduated in
1863.
For two years after his graduation
he taught in the academy at Morgan
town, w. Va, and then he read law
with Edgar G. Wilson, of that place,
father Of the late Eugene M. Wilson,
of Minneapolis. Admitted to the bar
in the spring of 1857, he at once re-
moved to Winoaa, where he made his
home and entered at once into the az
tive and successful practice of his pro-
fession. Judge Mitchell claimed Wi
mona as his home until he retired from
the supreme bench last January, al
though OF late years he had practically
acquired a residence in ST. Paul.
His first partnership was with Eu-
gene M. Wilson. Upon the latter's
removal to Minneapolis he was asso-
ciated with the late Daniel S. Norton
until his election to the United States
senate. Judge Mitchell then formed
partnership with Hon. w. Fl. Yale,
lieutenant governor and state senator
which continued until Judge Mitch
ellis elevation to the district bench Of
the Third judicial district 10 1874,
when his unbroken judicial career Of
more than quarter OF century began.
Prior to this time Judge Mitchell
had served in the state house of rep
resentaviyes ia the sessions Of 1850
so. He was also member Of the
Winona city council and served one
term as county attorney.
HE WAS ACTIVE
in upbuilding the community with
which he had cast his lot and was
president OF Winona & Southwestern
railroad and Of the Winona Savings
Bank.
In 1880 Judge Mitchell was re-elect-
ed district judge, but resigned In 1881
to accept Gov. Pillsbury's tender OF a
place on supreme bench, at that0time
increased from a membership Of three
to five. In 1882 he was elected for
the full term OF six years and re-elect-
ed in 1888 and 1894 without opposi-
ton. During this long period his life
Continued on Fourth Page.