BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 550-551.

ROCKWELL B. MITCHELL, the present mayor of Bridgeport, was born in
Bridgeport, Ohio, January 6, 1857. His early youth was spent in the
public schools of Bridgeport, and also at the Cannonsburg academy,
at Cannonsburg, Ohio. After leaving school he worked on a farm some
time. Nothing suiting him better than the useful occupation of a
farmer, he has always been connected with farming more or less, Mr.
Mitchell has figured prominently in the politics of his section,
having been elected to fill the responsible position of township
treasurer, and serving two terms as corporation treasurer of Bridge-
port, also two terms as assessor. In. the spring of 1888, the
democratic party nominated him for mayor of his native city. The
good esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen was attested
by his election. He is a member of the Belmont lodge No. 109, K.
of P., also Golden Eagles, Washington Castle No. 5, American Mechanics,
and Knights of the Maccabees. His father, Vincent Mitchell, was also
a very prominent man in his time. He was a native of York, Penn., as
was also his first wife, Nancy. Both of them were of Scotch-Irish
descent. Vincent Mitchell received a very liberal education. After
leaving school he worked upon a farm until he accepted a situation
with his brother as a clerk in the latter's general merchandise
store, in which capacity he continued until he purchased the
business. He carried on the business for some twenty-five years,
at the expiration of which time he sold out his store and moved
to Bridgeport, Ohio. Here he, with others, built and started a
foundry undes the firm name of Thacker, Mitchell & Co. The business
was continued for four years. His first wife having died he married
Miss Susanna Hogg, by whom he had three children, all of whom are
living: Miriam, Jennie and John T. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1840.
Ten years later, on March 14, he was again married, this time to
Josephine Kirkwood, a daughter of Joseph Kirkwood, who was one of
the founders of Bridgeport, at which place he settled at a very
early date. He was a son of Robert Kirkwood, of Revolutionary fame,
having served with great distinction under General George Washington.
When Joseph Kirkwood came to Bridgeport, then Canton, he owned and
operated a farm on the tract of land which is now known as Kirkwood.
He continued as a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1856.
His wife was the daughter of Rev. George Gillespie, the famous
Scotch divine, who was sent to England by parliament. Ten children
were born to Margaret and Joseph Kirkwood, four of them are still
living: Capt. R. Kirkwood was killed in the battle at which St.
Clair was defeated; Sarah E., who married Joseph Large; Elizabeth,
the widow of William Kennon, Jr., at one time a prominent attorney
of St. Clairsville; Margaret, who married Rev. James Alexander,
of the Presbyterian church, then stationed at Martin's Ferry, and
Josephine, the wife of Vincent Mitchell, who is now deceased. Eight
children blessed the marriage of Vincent Mitchell and Josephine
Kirkwood, seven of these are living: Margaret G., the wife of Shields
W. McCurdy, a Methodist minister now living at Crafton, Penn.;
William, Harriet L., Emma and Euna, twins, Walter, and Rockwell B.,
the present mayor of Bridgeport. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are active
members of the Presbyterian church, and raised their large family
of children in that faith. Seldom is a family seen that has kept
its record cleaner than has this' branch of the Mitchell family.