Charles Lewis Mitchell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Lewis Mitchell
An old drawing of Charles Lewis Mitchell (1912)
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 6th Suffolk district
In office 1867–1867
Personal details
Born	November 10, 1829 Hartford, Connecticut
Died	April 13, 1912
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Nellie Brown Mitchell

Charles Lewis Mitchell (born November 10, 1829 – died April 13, 1912) was an important figure in American history. He was a printer, a brave officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and a state lawmaker in Massachusetts. Mitchell, along with Edward G. Walker, made history as the first two African Americans to serve in the Massachusetts General Court, which is the state's legislature.

Early Life and Military Service

Charles Lewis Mitchell was born in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1853, he started working as a printer for The Liberator. This was an important newspaper that fought against slavery, run by William Lloyd Garrison.

During the American Civil War, Mitchell joined the 55th Massachusetts Colored Volunteer Infantry. This was a special army unit made up of African American soldiers. He showed great courage in battle. At the Battle of Honey Hill in South Carolina, he was wounded and lost one of his feet. Because of his bravery, he was promoted to second lieutenant.

After the war, Mitchell married Nellie Brown. She was a very famous singer in Boston at the time.

A Pioneer in Politics

In 1866, Charles Lewis Mitchell was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He was a member of the Republican Party and represented a part of Boston. When he took his seat in January 1867, he and Edward G. Walker became the very first African Americans to hold positions in the Massachusetts state legislature.

During his time in the House, Mitchell worked on the committee that handled printing. In 1869, he was given a job as an inspector in the U.S. customs office in Boston. He later became a clerk there. Mitchell worked at the customs office for 40 years, until he retired in 1909.

Mitchell also played a role in important historical events. In May 1879, he was one of eight people who carried the coffin at the funeral of William Lloyd Garrison, the famous abolitionist. His wife, Nellie Brown Mitchell, also sang at the funeral.

In 1897, Mitchell attended the unveiling of a famous memorial in Boston. This memorial honored Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, another brave African American army unit from the Civil War. Mitchell was there with his former commanding officer, Norwood Penrose Hallowell.