Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-07-06
EX-SENATOR IS DEAD.
John L. Mitchell Passes Away at
His Summer Home.
"a NOTABLE DEMOCRAT.
3sed Without Regaining Consciousness,
j Surrounded by Members of
u His Family.

ILeadrum Mitchell died at his country
place, Meadowmere, Milwaukee county,
sm Wednesday evening at 7:45 o'clock, at
isAs age of So years. The funeral will
sAe held Saturday afternoon at 2:30
o'clock. Interment will be on the fam
lg lot at Forest Home cemetery.
Senator Mitchell was, prior to the bank
failures Of 1898. one Of Milwaukee's
!wea}thiest citizens. His vast fortune
was largely depleted, however, in his de-
;sermination to make good the losses sus-
tanned through the collapse of the bank
'Ais father, Alexander Mitchell, founded,
although, at the time, Mr.. Mitchell was
not actively identified with the institu-
lion. 1t is believed that he still leaves
soTtune worth approximately $1,0OO,OOO.
/. Popular with Old Soldiers.
The news of the death spread rapidly
Wednesday. evening, and expressions Of
sep sorrow and of great admiration for
upon all sides. There will be none to
miss the genial, warm greeting and the
Kindly presence of "Comrade MITCHELL
more than the old veterans of the Civil
war, both in and out Of the Soldiers
fapme.
For many years Mr.. Mitchell was the
,cesldent manager Of the national board
s,of managers Of the National Home for
iDisa bled Volunteer Soldiers, and in that
tPosItion endeared himself to every one
Nsf the 1000 members Of the Milwaukee
ramp. No task was too irksome for Mr..
Mitchell, when an old comrade was to be
iSeDehted or sufferer from some home
Trouble comforted. He was man and
tsomrade, brother and sponsor for each
and all, and there was no prouder mo-
ment in Senator Mitchel's long and use
|fui Fife than when he was invited, one
year ago by Gov. Cornelius Wheeler of
the Milwaukee branch, to deliver the Me-
Ennrial day address to the veterans at the
hsNne, which was also the occasion Of the
HRalcatlon of the monument in the home
!Feanetery. Never was there a more in
sfEuctlve, impressive or more tender adj
9Eess and tribute to the veterans Of the
Union armies delivered there
! Seriously Ill for Some Months.
Senator Mitchelps fatal illness dates
from an operation performed about three
months ago for a complicated intestinal
disorder from which he had been suffer
ing for some time previous. A consulta-
ltaon Of physicians and surgeons deter
FAMED upon a surgical operation for a
fsfoppage in the bowels, and DR.. Nicholas
Sem of Rush Medical college performed
lsbe operation. 1t was regarded as sue
i'sessful, relieving the patient from in
Hsnse suffering, and prolonging his Life.
Fed and was able to be up and about
thzs home for some time. Within a few
weeks, however, heart complications de-
ireiOped and late Saturday afternoon Mr..
mitchell suffered sudden collapse.
The death of Mr.. Mitchell removes a
ssaaIgnal bank within a month, his
csnsin, John Johnston, having been the
esther of the two vice presidents.
j John Lendrum Mitchell.
John Lendrum Mitchell was born in
Milwaukee. October 10, 1912. His par
insts were Alexander and Martha Mitch
h He was the only child Of three to
gnrTive, the others dying In infancy.
His father was Of sturdy Scotch stock,
and his mother was Of a prominent Yer
lasent family. Some of the peculiar and
Alexander Mitchell were notably Inherit
I'd by the son, making him a man of
aoSe and Of strong, forceful character.
He acquired the ruGiments of an educa-
lion in the public schools of Milwaukee,
md later took complete course in the
military school at Hampton, Conn.,, after
:Which he went abroad and studied in the
great institutions of learning in Dresden,
Munich and Genoa. When the war of
!she rebellion broke out, Mr.. Mitchell
fastened home and at the age of 10 en-
listed with Co. l, Twenty-fourth Wis
ieonsin Volunteer infantry. January II,
ias6S, he was promoted to the first lieu
,erDancy and transferred to Co. E of the
'5azne regiment. In June of the same
Tear he was detailed for duty on the
staff of Gen. Rousseau. and participated
"a the battles and engagements of his
regiment, including Perryville, Murfrees-
boro, Hoover's Gap and the campaign
syesight compelled him to resign his
commissions
Enters Political Field.
Mr.. Mitchell entered politics in 1879
when he became a candidate on the
Democratic ticket for the state Senate.
.so1 which he was triumphantly elected.
HE was reelected in 1875 In 18S4-5
lac served as president of the school
board; president of the Wisconsin State
Agricultural society, and president of the
Northwestern Trotting Horse Breeders
association.
Owning large and highly improved
farm within five miles of the city. Sena-
,ter Mitchell delighted to pass his leisure
leime there, where he had 40 acres under
ieultivation. He loved good stock and
irassed the best. In order to stimulate the
,acience Of farming, he secured the estab-
'Eshment Of short course in agriculture
at the state university, Offering at the
same time twenty scholarships to poor
boys. He also, in 1887, placed a standing
order with the superintendent of MllWau-
ikee schools to supply at his expense the
necessary books to every school child
!whose parents were known to be too
tpopr to purchase them.
In 1886 Mr.. Mitchell was appointed
by Congress a member Of the board of
managers of the National Homes for
Disabled Soldiers. and in 1895 he was
elected vice-president of the board. In
1880 he was elected to Congress from
ahe Fourth district by a majority of 1000
over his Republican opponent He was
Ie-elected 1882, and while serving his
FIRST term he vas selected chairman Of
the Democratic congressional committee
(which conducted the campaign Of 1892,
resulting in a Democratic majority in
both branches Of Congress. For four
years MIR. Mitchell was the Wisconsin
member of the national Democratic COM
mittee, and a member Of the state CEN
trial committee.
Elected United States Senator.
Mr.. MitchelPs elections to the United
States Senate was accomplished in 1893
when he succeeded Philetus Sawyer. Gen.
IL. S. Bragg was Mr.. Mitchelrs strongest
opponent and the second choice of all the