James C. Mitchell (settler) facts for kids
James C. Mitchell (1810-1860) was an early settler of Bellevue, Iowa. He later founded the town of Florence in the Nebraska Territory in 1854.
Contents
Early Life and Moving West
James C. Mitchell was born in Pangborn, Pennsylvania, in 1810. When he was just fifteen years old, he left home to become a seaman. By age eighteen, he was already the captain of ships like the Lyden and the Lady Washington. These ships sailed between New York City and Liverpool, England.
In 1836, Mitchell married Eliza Krosnick-Vandenberg. She was from South Africa and was a widow. Until 1838, Mitchell lived in England with his wife and his step-daughter, Hannah Vandenberg.
In 1840, James C. Mitchell and his family moved to Bellevue, Iowa. There, he worked as an Indian Commissioner. He and his wife also adopted a daughter named J. Ann Floyd. The Mitchells ran a store in Bellevue that sold many different kinds of goods. While in Bellevue, Mitchell faced some challenges with his businesses.
As the Gold Rush began in 1849, many people started moving west. James C. Mitchell and his family also moved west to Council Bluffs. There, they owned and ran two very successful stores. Mitchell was very excited about the idea of a transcontinental railroad. He thought it would help people in the Midwest connect with the opportunities he had seen in California.
Following advice from Peter A. Sarpy, Mitchell bought the land where an old Mormon settlement called Cutler's Park used to be. He then planned and settled the new village of Florence. He and his team worked on this project between 1853 and 1855. Mitchell chose this spot because he thought it would be a perfect place for a bridge to cross the river. The town was named Florence, possibly in honor of Florence Kilbourn, who was a niece of Mrs. Mitchell.
Building Florence and Politics
Mitchell believed that Florence would become the capital of the Nebraska Territory. In 1854, he helped start the Nebraska Winter Quarters Company, which later became the Florence Land Company in 1855. Mitchell himself owned 277 lots in Florence. He was very active in buying and selling land in both Florence and Columbus, Nebraska. In 1856, Mitchell joined the first board of the Bank of Florence.
James C. Mitchell was involved in the early government of the Nebraska Territory. He served on a committee in the first territorial legislature. Mitchell also served in the First Territorial Council. He cast the important vote that made Omaha the early capital, even though his own town of Florence was also being considered. To get his vote, Mitchell was made the only commissioner for the new capitol building. He was also given more land in Douglas County. He chose a site on High School Hill for the capitol, where Central High School stands today.
Mitchell passed away in Florence in 1860.
Community Involvement
James C. Mitchell was an important person in the early days of Bellevue, Iowa. He was involved in a local disagreement in 1840, which is sometimes called the Bellevue War. There was a disagreement between two groups in town. Mitchell was seen as a leader of the group that wanted to keep law and order.
On January 8, 1840, during a community event, a man named James Thompson caused trouble at Mitchell's house. When Mitchell heard about this, he went to find Thompson. Both men fired their guns, but Thompson's gun did not work. Mitchell's shot hit Thompson, and he died.
Mitchell stayed in the hotel where the event was happening. His family and friends helped protect him from Thompson's friends. Eventually, a peace was made with the local sheriff. Mitchell was kept at his own house under guard. Thompson's friends tried to harm Mitchell and his family, but their plan was stopped.
Mitchell remained under house confinement for some time. On April 1, 1840, the sheriff led a group of citizens to deal with the situation. Mitchell was not allowed to participate, but he was given weapons in case he was attacked. Mitchell was later tried for the killing and found not guilty on June 19, 1840.
Business Ventures
Mitchell owned several businesses and land claims throughout the Territory. These included:
- The Elk Horn and Loup Fork Ferry and Bridge Company
- The Winter Quarter Ferry
- Land near the Missouri River that was once owned by the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company
- The Columbus Company
- A steam ferry boat called Nebraska No. 2
- The Florence Bridge Company
See also
Elsewhere online
- "A History of the James C. Mitchell House," by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
