The broad ax., 1916-01-15
Amanda G. Mitchell, Born March %,
1855; died January 6, 1916.

1855; died January 6, 1916.
Amanda Catherine Mitchell first saw
the light of day in Fayette County,
Iowa, short distance from the city of
Fayette. She came to Chicago as a
little girl a short time before the great
fire and found a home with Mrs.
Blanks, whom many of our older resi-
dents will remember. This city has
been her home ever since. After the
great fire, which swept away so many
places of abode, the young girl made
her permanent home with the mother
of DR.. Allen A. Wesley. 1t was from
that home that she was first given away
in marriage to Mr.. Alfred Coleman;
but after being welded only a few
months she met her first great misfor-
tune in the loss of her husband by
death from smallpox. In October, 1891,
death also claimed her foster mother,
and Doctor Wesley, sorrowed and dis
turbed by the same visitation, rightly
felt that he could do no better than to
make his future home with one who
had practically grown from girlhood to
womanhood at his mothers freside
and one whose qualities he knew. In
1878 she was again joined in wedlock
to Lawyer Robert NJ. Mitchell, with
whom she lived happily until Sept. Is,
1908, at which time her home was
again visited by death and Mr.. Nit
chen fell a victim to grim disease.
Knowing that his beloved "Cricket"
would soon be left with no adviser and
protector, he on his death-bed fondly
and fully committed her to the care of
DIR. Wesley, who had been the close
and lifelong friend of both; and the
Doctor determined that the woman
whose native goodness of heart had
given him the comforts of a home
should have all the protection he could
throw around her.
Peculiarly domestic in her tastes,
"Home" was the watchword of Mrs.
Mitchell's life, though she was never
blessed with children; and the name
less, countless, priceless little things
she did to make home what it should
be were but the outward signs of her
inward grace.
She loved to work for others, and
that without ostentation. In simple,
womanly way she was always doing
and giving what she could to make
others happy. For several years she
worked to keep up what is called the
Oak Leaf Room in Provident Hospital,
and only relinquished the work when
physical disability compelled her to do
so.
Calumny, hatred and unrelenting en-
mites were unknown to her. She had
kind word and a smile for everybody,
and to those who knew her best she
was always the sunny-tempered sister
and steadfast friend. Thus, if it be
true that to live in hearts we leave be-
hind is not to die, she is not dead.
Mrs. Mitchell united with Esther
Court of the Masonic Order many
years ago and was one of the charter
members of Hannibal Court of the
Pythian Order. Both of these Courts
are represented here today, to pay
their departed sister.
For several years past Mrs. Nit
chell's health had been failing, and by
reason of that fact she had remained
quite closely at home. She usually at
tended the nearest church, but did not
directly unite with any.
She felt that her time was growing
short and for that reason was especial
ly DESTROYS Of meeting few friends at
her home on Christmas Day, which she
did; and she said she never had a more
pleasant time, even though she was IN
able to have present many Of her most
intimate friends and acquaintance.
Saturday morning, January first, she
was stricken with pneumonia, and IN
til the end came was great sufferer
at times. She closed her eyes in death
at eleven-thirty, Thursday morning,
Jan. 8, 1916. She leaves q niece in
this city, q few relatives scattered
throughout the states, and many sor-