Cumberland County, Maine - James E. Mitchell
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Biography
James E. Mitchell
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 699-700


James E. Mitchell, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the leading farmers of
Freeport, was born in that town, July 2, 1843, son of Ira and Sarah (Soule)
Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell's great-grandfather, who was the first of his ancestors
to settle in Freeport, arrived at a time when settlers were scarce. Indians and
wild game roamed at large over the district. In spite of these conditions he
cleared a farm from the wilderness, and resided there for the rest of his life.
His son, Daniel Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell's grandfather, was born in Freeport, and
was a lifelong resident of the town. He was engaged in farming throughout his
lifetime, and he died at a good old age.

Ira Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell's father, who was born in Freeport in 1808, followed
the trade of a spar-maker for many years. In 1842 he settled upon the farm now
occupied by his son, James E. His first purchase was fifteen acres of unimproved
land. This he brought to a good state of cultivation, gradually adding more land
until he possessed a valuable farm. He was profitably engaged in general farming
until 1875. In this year he sold the property to his son, and moved to
Brunswick, Me., where he afterward resided until his death, which occurred
August 3, 1877. He was an industrious and worthy citizen and a Democrat in
politics. His wife, Sarah, who was born in Freeport in 1810, became the mother
of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity. They were: Martha Brewer, who
died January 27, 1869, aged twenty-three years; Alvin O., who was lost at sea
March 10, 1869, aged nineteen years and ten months; Charles T., who died in
California, November 2, 1874, aged thirty-nine years; Marcus M., who died in New
Mexico, March 11, 1868, aged twenty-six years; Mary S., who is the wife of
Freeman Morse, of Brunswick; Daniel E., who is now a resident of Chicago; and
James E., the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest. The mother died
February 28, 1894. Mr. Mitchell's parents attended the Methodist Episcopal
church.

James E. Mitchell was educated in the schools of his native town, and was reared
to farm life. He assisted his father in carrying on the farm until he was
nineteen years old. On August 2, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company E,
Seventeenth Regiment, Maine Volunteers, under Captain Ellis M. Sawyer, for
service in the Civil War. Subsequently he was present at the battles of
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, receiving at the latter engagement injuries
from which he has never fully recovered. On being honorably discharged from the
service in 1865, he returned to Freeport, where he engaged in farming, which
occupation he has successfully followed since. He owns a well-located farm,
containing one hundred and sixty acres, more or less. The residence and other
buildings are substantially constructed, and kept in good repair. He devotes
some attention to dairying, keeps at an average five hundred hens, while he
raises large crops of general farm products.

In March, 1866, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Frances Huston. She was
born in West Gray, Me., daughter of David and Olive M. (Hammond) Huston. Her
father, who was a prosperous farmer, a Baptist in his religious belief and a
Republican in politics, died in West Gray, at the age of seventy-one years. His
wife bore him fourteen children, and lived to the age of sixty-five. Mr. and
Mrs. Mitchell have three sons, namely: Ellis M., born in November, 1868, who is
now the agent of the Standard Oil Company at Athol, Mass.; Charles W., born June
5, 1871, now a druggist in Boston; and Fred S., born September 10, 1877, who
resides at home. Mr. Mitchell is liberal in his views regarding religion, while
in politics he supports the Republican party. He is a member of the Knights of
Pythias of Freeport and a comrade of Haskell Post, No. 106, Grand Army of the
Republic, of Yarmouth. A worthy representative of one of the oldest settlers in
Freeport, he is highly esteemed in the town.