William Henry Mitchell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Henry Mitchell
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| Born | November 13, 1834 Chicago, Illinois
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| Died | March 14, 1919 (aged 84) Los Angeles, California
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| Alma mater | Beloit College |
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| Years active | 1853 – 1909 |
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| Known for | A pioneer, businessman, and politician from Olympia, Washington. Was a member of the city and state legislatures. Developed a number of businesses in the city, built a railroad connection between Olympia and Northern Pacific Railway, and developed the family business: the Mitchell–Lewis Wagon Manufactory (later Mitchell, Lewis & Starver Company). |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse(s) | Martha T. Jones (married 1859 – 1896) |
| Children | 5 |
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William Henry Mitchell (born November 13, 1834 – died March 14, 1919) was a brave pioneer who helped build the city of Olympia in the Washington Territory. He made many important contributions to the city's businesses and industries.
Mitchell was a member of the Washington State Legislature, a leader in the Pioneer's Association of the State of Washington, and an Olympian Town Trustee. He also served as a joint councilman for Thurston and Lewis counties.
He was one of the first people to cross the difficult Naches Pass in the Cascade Range. Mitchell was also part of the Washington Territorial Volunteers and worked as a ranger during the Yakima War. After the war, he became the sheriff and deputy sheriff of Olympia.
During his long career in Olympia, Mitchell owned a grocery store and started bakery and butcher shops. He also invested in the lumber business, owning sawmills. A major achievement was building a railroad line between Olympia and Tenino. This connected Olympia to the main Northern Pacific Railway.
Later in life, Mitchell returned to his family's business, which made famous Mitchell wagons. He helped merge several companies into the Mitchell, Lewis & Starver Company and became its president. He also designed and managed the Mitchell Hotel in Olympia.
Contents
Early Life, Family, and School
William Mitchell was born on November 13, 1834, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Henry and Margaret Mitchell, were from Scotland. William was the oldest of their eight children. Both his parents were part of the Baptist church.
William's father, Henry Mitchell, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. He moved to Chicago and became very successful at making Mitchell wagons, which were well-known across the U.S. The family later moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and then to Racine. There, they built huge wagon factories, and his father started the Mitchell & Lewis Company. Future generations continued to work in and grow this family business for many years.
Even though his family moved a lot, William went to public schools in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He also spent a year studying at Beloit College.
Journey Across the Great Plains
In 1853, when he was 18, Mitchell decided to travel to the Oregon Territory. His family was not happy about his decision at first. But they eventually agreed and found him travel companions: Samuel Holmes and his family.
On April 9, 1853, Mitchell and other travelers began their long journey. Their first stop was at Council Bluffs. Here, Mitchell lost most of his money in a card game. His group then joined a train of 20 wagons to continue their trip.
They left on June 3, crossed the Missouri River, and traveled along the Platte River. The journey became harder and more dangerous. They saw more native people watching them from a distance. Some travelers faced danger near the Snake River.
Mitchell wrote in his memories that they reached Fort Kearny on July 4. However, some historians think he might have meant Fort Hall, based on the distance he described.
Before reaching Fort Walla Walla, they made a stop in La Grande, Oregon to buy supplies. When they arrived at Fort Walla Walla, the wagon train split up. Mitchell's group decided to go over Naches Pass through the Cascade Range to Fort Steilacoom. This was a very important journey because they were the first group to ever cross Naches Pass. This opened up the area for more settlers to come. From there, Mitchell continued to Olympia, arriving on October 6, 1853. This was around the same time that Governor Isaac Stevens arrived.
Early Career and the Yakima War
When William Mitchell first arrived in Olympia, Washington, he took on many different jobs. He cut wood, helped in a blacksmith shop, and worked in the cattle business.
In 1855 or 1856, during the Indian War, Mitchell joined the Washington Territorial Volunteers. He then became a ranger and took part in a battle at White River. After the conflict, Mitchell helped build a safe place in Olympia. This stockade was for women and children from nearby areas to stay during times of trouble.
In 1857, Mitchell was chosen to be the sheriff of Thurston County. He held this important job for several years. Later, he worked as a deputy sheriff. He was involved in the legal process concerning Chief Leschi, a leader of the Nisqually people.
Life and Business After the War
Bakery, Butcher, and Lumber Businesses
After the war, in 1856, Mitchell started a bakery and butcher business in Olympia with a partner named John Stewart. They also had a branch in Seattle. After eleven years, the partners decided to go their separate ways. Mitchell took over the Olympia business, which continued until 1873.
During this time, Mitchell and Stewart owned a two-story building at the corner of 3rd and Main streets. They used this building as a grocery store.
In 1868, Mitchell teamed up with Ira Ward and S. M. Cooper. They invested $20,000 (which would be about $531,000 today) into a sawmill in Tumwater, Washington, near Olympia. They started a company called Ward & Mitchell. Mitchell also owned another sawmill in Olympia. His brother-in-law, Bennet W. Johns, joined him in the lumber business, and they worked together for fourteen years.
Connecting Olympia to the Northern Pacific Railway
In the 1870s, Mitchell became very involved in the railroad business. He helped create a group that raised money to build a train line. This line would connect Olympia to the main Northern Pacific Railway.
The Olympia Branch Railroad Co. was formed in 1870, and Mitchell was chosen as a director. However, this company could not build the line. So, in 1877, a new company was created called the Thurston County Railroad Co. Mitchell served as a director and later became the superintendent, which means he managed the building work. This time, they were successful! The railroad was finished in July 1878. It connected Olympia with the Northern Pacific Railway at Tenino, Washington.
Returning to the Family Business
Mitchell successfully managed his businesses until 1881 or 1882. Then, he sold them and moved to Portland, Oregon. There, he began working for the Mitchell–Lewis Wagon Manufactory Pacific agency, which was his father's company.
In 1892, Mitchell helped combine several companies into the family business. After this merger, he became the president of the Mitchell, Lewis & Starver Company. Under his leadership, they opened new branch offices in Portland and Seattle. He retired from this role in 1897 but remained a leader of the company until 1909.
Building the Mitchell Hotel
After retiring from the wagon business, Mitchell returned to Olympia. He helped improve the city by designing and building the Mitchell Hotel. This hotel was located at the corner of Main and 7th streets and opened in 1903.
It was a modern building made of brick and concrete. It had heating, hot and cold water, and electricity. For some time, Mitchell managed the hotel himself.
Other Important Roles
During his many years in Olympia, Mitchell held several other important positions. He was elected as a member of the state legislature, supported by many people, businesses, and industries. He was also a delegate for the Democratic Party in Olympia.
Mitchell was an elected town trustee and a joint councilman for Thurston and Lewis counties. He served as a trustee for the Baptist Church of Olympia and was a member of the Pioneer's Association of the State of Washington.
Personal Life
On April 13, 1859, William Mitchell married Martha T. Jones. She was from Tennessee and had traveled across the plains in the same wagon train as he did when they were young. Her father, Bennet L. Johns, was also a pioneer in Seattle.
The Mitchells had five children. Sadly, one child, William Walter, died when he was a baby. Two of their sons, Frank W. and Harry W., became managers in the Portland and Seattle branches of the Mitchell–Lewis Wagon Manufactory. Another son, Albert B., who was blind, also worked in the family business. Their daughter, Cora Edith, married A. L. Young from San Francisco.
Mitchell's wife, Martha, passed away in 1896, and he never married again.
After his wife's death and his retirement from business, Mitchell built a home near Olympia. He lived there with a housekeeper and his granddaughter, Hellen. In 1918, Mitchell moved to Los Angeles, California, to live with his daughter.
Throughout his life, Mitchell was a member of the Democratic political party. He was also a devoted member of the Baptist Church in Olympia.
William Henry Mitchell died in Los Angeles, California, on March 14, 1919.
