RACINE BELLE CITY OF THE LAKES
AND RACINE COUNTY WISCONSIN-ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1916FRANK L. MITCHELL
In taking up the personal history of Frank L. Mitchell it is unnecessary to tell
to Racine and her people the place that he occupies, for his position has been
established by the consensus of public opinion, and in considering his career
one is led to the reflection that opportunities slip away from the sluggard,
tauntingly play before the dreamer, but surrender to the individual with high
purpose, undaunted courage and in fatigable determination. It is through the
wise use of his opportunities that Frank L. Mitchell has reached the prominent
position which he now fills. Born in Kenosha on the 4th of December, 1852, he is
a son of Henry and Margaret (Mitchell) Mitchell, natives of Scotland and
representatives of one of the oldest families of that country. Henry Mitchell's
parents, William and Elizabeth (Jackson) Mitchell, were of that Scotch type of
earnest, industrious people who held to the Presbyterian faith and guided their
lives according to their strong religious convictions. The father carried on an
express business between Edinburgh and neighboring towns. To him and his wife
were born eleven children, seven of whom reached adult age and became heads of
families.
Henry Mitchell was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, March 10, 1810, and early was
thrown upon his own resources, for it was necessary that he aid his father in
the support of a large family. His education was therefore largely acquired in
the night school. He possessed natural mechanical ability and early displayed
much efficiency in drafting. When a youth of fifteen he entered upon a seven
years' apprenticeship to the wheelwright's trade and at the close of that period
was made foreman of a large shop in Edinburgh, occupying the position for a year
and a half. In 1834 he sailed for New York and made his way at once to Chicago,
then containing a population of only three hundred white people. He at once
began work at wagon making and also took contract in connection with the building
of the Illinois canal.
In Chicago he became acquainted with
L. S. Blake, a
pioneer citizen and prominent manufacturer of Racine. Not liking Chicago, Mr.
Mitchell removed to Southport, now Kenosha, in 1838 and there opened a wagon
shop, continued in business in connection with a partner until 1853, when the
plant was sold to Edward Bain. Two years later Mr. Mitchell began wagon making in
Racine, establishing a modest plant which he gradually enlarged. In 1864 he was
joined by his son-in-law, William T. Lewis, under the firm name of H. Mitchell &
Company and after two years the name was changed to Mitchell, Lewis & Company.
In 1880 the plant was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt and in 1884
the business was incorporated as the Mitchell & Lewis Company with Henry
Mitchell as president; W. T. Lewis, vice president; Frank L. Mitchell,
secretary; C. D. Sinclair, treasurer, and Henry G. Mitchell, superintendent. The
plant was increased to meet the growing demands of the trade until it covered
twenty acres or more, devoted to the manufacture of wagons and lighter vehicles,
which sold extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South
America. With the growth of the business it soon retopped any similar enterprise
in the state. Into other fields Mr. Mitchell also directed his energies, being
one of the organizers of the Artesian Well Company, furnishing Racine's water
supply. He likewise became director of the Manufacturers' National Bank. His
political allegiance was given to the Whig party until the republican party was
formed to prevent the further extension of slavery into the north, at which time
he espoused the cause and afterward remained a loyal republican. During the war
his influence and assistance were given to support the government and several
times he was sent as a messenger to the armies in the field. Fraternally he was
a Mason and he belonged to the Calumet Club of Chicago, while he and his wife
held membership in the Baptist church. As one of the early manufacturers of
Racine he contributed in large measure to the development and upbuilding of the
city as well as the promotion of individual success, his efforts being at all
times of a character that promoted public prosperity. He reached the age of
eighty-three and passed away in 1893, while his wife died in 1896.
On the 7th of January, 1832, near Edinburgh, Henry Mitchell wedded Miss Margaret
Mitchell, who was born in Fifeshire, December 18, 1811, and they became the
parents of eight children: Margaret, who died in Chicago; William H., a resident
of Portland, Oregon; Elizabeth A., who became the wife of T. O. Wallis, of
Racine; Margaret, who died in Kenosha; Mary I., the wife of William T. Lewis;
Martha A., the wife of C. D. Sinclair; Henry G., and Frank L.
The last named was not yet three years of age when the family home was
established in Racine and in the public schools he pursued his preliminary
education, supplemented by a commercial course in Howard's Business College.
When seventeen years of age he accepted the position of bookkeeper with the firm
of B. B. Northrup & Company, bankers, and upon the organization of the
Manufacturers' National Bank in 1871 he was retained as private bookkeeper to
Mr. Northrup until the books of the old concern were closed up. He was then made
correspondent for the new bank and acceptably filled that position until 1873.
In that year he was offered the position of bookkeeper for the firm of Mitchell,
Lewis & Company and after seven years was admitted to a partnership in the
business. In 1884 he became secretary of the Mitchell & Lewis Company and has
since been identified with this concern through all of its development and
changes. The business was organized under its present form as the Mitchell-Lewis
Motor Company in 1903. The Mitchell & Lewis Company, wagon manufacturers, had
continued in business and developed a mammoth enterprise of that character. In
1910 the two companies were consolidated as the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company and
today they have a plant covering twenty-five or thirty acres and employing two
thousand or more people. Of this concern Frank L. Mitchell is the treasurer and
he is also the president of the First National Bank of Racine, thus being most
prominently connected with its industrial and financial interests. His opinions
carry weight in business connections, for he has proven that his judgment is
sound, his insight keen and his enterprise unfaltering.
On the 13th of December, 1876, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Emer C. Goold, a
native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of John F. and Sylvia (Martin) Goold,
natives of Orange county, New York, and Medina county, Ohio, respectively. Mr.
and Mrs. Mitchell have become the parents of two children. Mabel is the wife of
J. E. White, of Sacramento, California, and they have two sons. Olive A. married
John H. Dwight, who is general manager of Belle City Malleable Iron Company of
Racine, and they have one daughter.
Mr. Mitchell has always given his political allegiance to the republican party
since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and upon its ticket he has
been called to public office. He was the first native of Wisconsin ever honored
with the office of mayor of Racine, to which position he was elected in the
spring of 1889, and as chief executive he stood for law and order, for reform
and progress. He belongs to the Christian Science church and is prominent as a
Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Elk. In the first named organization he has
taken degrees of the lodge, chapter, commandery, consistory and the Mystic
Shrine. He represents an old and prominent family. The name Mitchell has long
been associated with Racine's upbuilding and the work instituted by his father
has been carried on by Frank L. Mitchell, who in the changing conditions has
broadened and developed the scope of his interests and business connections. His
worth as a man and a citizen is widely acknowledged and his contribution to
Racine's business life has been one of great and permanent value.
Contributed by Deborah Crowell
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