Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2019, All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= USGenNet Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Source: Biographical Memoirs of St. Clair County, Michigan Pub. B. F. Bowen, 1903, Logansport, Indiana [p. 219-223] HON. WILLIAM T. MITCHELL Standing out distinctly as one of the cen- tral figures in the history of Michigan is the name of Hon. WILLIAM THOMAS MITCHELL, of Port Huron. Prominent in local affairs and equally so in public matters beyond the con- fines of his own jurisdiction, with a reputa- tion in one of the most exacting of profes- sions that won him a name for distinguished service second to that of none of his contem- poraries, there is today no more prominent or honored man in the state which he has long dignified with his citizenship. Achiev- ing success in the courts at an age when most young men are just entering upon the forma- tive periods of their lives, wearing the judge's robe with dignity and bringing to every case submitted to him a clearness of perception and ready power of analysis char- acteristic of the learned and eminent jurist, his name and works for years have been al- lied with the legal institutions, public im- provements and political interests of the state in such a way as to earn him recognition as one of the distinguished citizens of his gen- eration in a community prolific of great men. A high purpose,, an unconquerable will, vig- orous mental powers, diligent study and de- votion to principle and duty are some of the means by which he has made himself emi- nently useful, and every ambitious youth who must fight the battle of life wTith the prospect of ultimate success may read with profit the brief biography which is here- with presented. WILLIAM THOMAS MITCHELL was born in the town of Middlebury, Wyoming (then Gene- see) county. New York, on the 27th day of May, 1817. His father, Hon. WILLIAM MITCHELL, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, had immigrated to the above place a short time before from the state of Vermont, being one of the earliest pioneers of Genesee county, as well as one of its prominent citizens and most energetic men of affairs. The country at the early period was almost a wilderness and in its growth and development WILLIAM MITCHELL bore an active part. He attained high and honorable standing as a lawyer and in due time became not only a leader in local affairs, but achieved distinction among the prominent public men of that part of the state. His career both as a practitioner in the various courts and as a judge won him state repute and at his death he left to his son, the subject of this sketch, the heritage of a proud and honored name, which is still held in grateful remembrance in the com- munity where the latter years of his life were spent. It can also be stated that throughout a long and useful life the subject has added to rather than dimmed this fair heritage left him by his honored sire and made the proud ancestral name which he wears much more widely and favorably known than it was be- fore he attained the years of manhood. The subject's education during his early years was largely under his father's instruc- tion, and while still a youth he received a good classical training preparatory to enter ing upon a collegiate course. By reason of impaired health, however, he was obliged to abandon the cherished ambition of a finished education and turn his attention for a time to other pursuits. After spending nearly three years as clerk in a mercantile house, he yielded to a desire of long standing by taking up the study of law, first under his father's direction and later in the office of Putnam & Hoyt, well known and successful members of the Attica bar. After three years of close, painstaking application, as then required by the laws of New York and rules of the courts, he was admitted as an attorney, re- ceiving his first diploma from the hands of his father, who at that time was presiding judge of the court of common pleas. At the age of twenty-two Mr. MITCHELL was united in marriage to Miss ADELINE A. PECK, of Attica, New York, and with his young wife he at once sought a more favorable field for the exercise of his legal talents by removing in the fall of 1839 to Lapeer county, Michigan. In November of that year he was formally admitted to all the courts of the state, the circuit court, court of chancery and the supreme court as then organized requiring separate examinations and admissions, diplomas from other states not being passports to the Michigan bar. In February, 1840, he was appointed prosecut- ing attorney pro tern, and in that capacity he conducted many prosecutions with ability and credit, for one of his years, thus adding to his reputation as an able lawyer and judi- cious practitioner, although his previous ex- perience in the higher courts had been lim- ited. It was about this time that Mr. MITCHELL entered the field of journalism as editor of the Lapeer Plain Dealer, the first Democratic paper ever published in that county, the in- itial number of which under his management made its appearance in 1840. This paper became quite influential in shaping the policy of the party in local affairs and through it he became favorably known as a forceful po- litical factor, his able editorials gaining him wide publicity as a formidable but courteous antagonist in the discussion of the questions and issues then paramount. In the fall of that year he was elected register of deeds for the county of Lapeer, an office worth from two hundred and fifty to three hundred dol- lars per annum, but in 1841 he was compelled to resign the position on account of becoming the victim of the prevalent diseases of fever and ague, his weakened condition interfering very materially with the successful discharge of his duties. With the hope of recovering his health, Mr. MITCHELL discontinued busi- ness affairs in Lapeer county and returned to Wyoming county, New York, where he remained about one year. Returning to Michigan at the expiration of that time greatly benefited physically, he located at the town of Romeo, Macomb county, where he formed a law partnership with his brother-in- law, H. W. WILLIAMS. The firm thus con- stituted soon achieved distinctive prestige at the local bar, but on account of the small fees which it was customary for country lawyers at that time to charge, the two attorneys, al- though in the enjoyment of a practice of con- siderable magnitude, did not acquire any great amount of wealth for their services. Some idea of the fees charged at the period may be obtained when it is learned that three dollars was considered a liberal remunera- tion for a clay's service and even these small fees w7ere by no means abundant, while cases tried before justices and higher courts were few and far between. After a few years' practice at Romeo, Mr. MITCHELL was appoint- ed by Governor BARRY prosecuting attorney of Macomb county, but resigned before the expiration of his term in order to locate at Port Huron, where he was assured a much wider and more remunerative sphere awaited him. From the time of opening an office in this city until the year 1869 ne prosecuted his profession with energy and success, his car- eer during the interim presenting a series of continued advancements, which not only won him conspicuous standing at a bar dis- tinguished for the eminence of its talent, but also brought him prominently to the front as a leader in many industrial enterprises and as an influential factor in the business and social world. In 1869 ne was elected judge of the sixteenth judicial circuit, then first formed, his elevation to that honorable posi- tion being a victory in that the district was then normally Republican by a very large majority. During his previous practice, which took a very wide range, he ranked, as already stated, among the soundest and most logical lawyers of the state, in consequence of which he came to the bench eminently qualified to discharge its many high and ar- duous duties. Methodical in the disposition of business, fair and essentially impartial in his rulings, clear and unequivocal in the enunciation of his decisions, and withal gen- tle, manly and courteous to the members of the bar and to all others having business in court, he deported himself with such becom- ing grace and dignity as to adorn the high station with which he had been honored, and made for himself a reputation as an able and conscientious judge. With a strong and com- prehensive grasp of the basic principles of le- gal science and a familiarity with every de- tail of practice, he perceived with little effort the merits and demerits of cases submitted to his consideration and such were the clear, ness and wisdom of his decisions that but few of them were ever set aside by higher courts. After occupying the bench for a per- iod of three* years and discharging its varied duties to the satisfaction of lawyers and liti- gants, Mr. Mitchell was led to resign the position and resume the practice of his pro- fession as more congenial to his tastes and much more remunerative from a financial point of view7. With the laudable object in view of regaining the large volume of busi- ness which left him while occupying the bench, he threw all of the force of eminent ability into the practice and in due time re- covered much of the ground thus lost and built up a respectable clientele. While de- voting his time and energy to this large vol ume of business he was not unmindful of his party's claims or of the duties which every true citizen owes to his county and state. He continued to take a lively interest in po- litical questions and in 1878, at the earnest solicitation of his many friends in the sev- enth congressional district, he was induced to enter the congressional race of that year, his competitor being Hon. O." D. Conger, the old member, and one of Michigan's most dis- tinguished Republican politicians and states men. By reason of the overwhelming strength of the opposition, he failed of elec- tion, although making a brilliant canvass, during which he gained many friends and carried much more than his party's strength at the polls. In 1886 Mr. Mitchell was ap- pointed by President Cleveland United States commercial agent at St. Hyacinth, in the province of Quebec, Canada, an office of the same grade and duties as that of consul, which position he held three years. His re- lations with the people of his jurisdiction (mostly French) were of the most pleasant and agreeable character and at the expiration of his term he received from them many ex- pressions of favor and not a few regrets upon the event of his departure. Throughout his long and eminently suc- cessful professional and official career Judge MITCHELL was animated by the loftiest mo- tives and made every personal consideration subordinate to the higher claims of duty. Broad and liberal in his views of men and things, with the highest good of his fellow men ever prominently before him, his con- duct was always that of the true lover of his kind and the loyal citizen, who is ready to make any reasonable sacrifice for the cause in which his interests were enlisted. He is withal a man of the people, proud of his dis- tinction as a citizen of a country for whose laws and institutions he has the most pro- found admiration and respect, while his strong mentality, ripe judgment and unim- peachable integrity demonstrate to the satis- faction of all his ability to fill honorably im portant official station and to discharge worthily high trusts. In point of critical, le- gal scholarship and keen intellectuality he easily stands in the front rank, while in all that constitute noble manhood and upright citizenship his position in the social circle and the world of affairs has long been established and duly recognized. Judge MITCHELL'S protracted experience as a politician and successful campaigner is re- plete with many experiences which if written in connection with his professional and pub- lic career would make a large and interesting volume. Like many truly great men, he shrinks from, rather than courts, such no toriety, his becoming modesty and desire to keep from the public gaze being among his most pleasing characteristics. The Judge was made a Mason in Port Huron Lodge No. 58, in 1852, and during the next few years he filled all the chairs in that organization, be- sides representing it in the grand lodge of the state. He had risen high in the brother hood, holding the position of grand master of the grand lodge in 1865, and being at this time a Royal Arch Mason, Select Master and a Knight Templar, belonging to the different departments of the order in the city of his residence. Judge Mitchell's first wife, to whom ref- erence is made in a preceding paragraph, died a number of years ago, leaving one daughter, whose name is EMILY CATALINA DOWLAND. In 1854 was solemnized his marriage with Miss FANNIE F. HOSMER, of Stafford, New York, a union blessed with five offspring. Judge MITCHELL has lived to the ripe old age of eighty-five years, retaining in a marked degree the keen intellect and strong mental faculties for which he was especially distinguished during the period of his great- est activity and usefulness. Of recent years he has been leading a comparatively retired life in the quiet enjoyment of his family and many friends, though still practicing his pro- fession and keeping in touch with the trend of modern thought and manifesting a lively interest in the great public and political ques- tions of the day. Surrounded by everything calculated to minister to his comfort and hap- piness, he has the unbounded esteem of a community for the material, social and moral advancement of which so much of his life and interest have been devoted. It would in deed be something anomalous if with such an intellect as Judge Mitchell possesses, he did not with the varied subjects that have engaged his attention deeply study and care fully weigh the claims of revealed religion. This he has done with the happy result of strengthening and every day making brighter and surer his faith in an all-wise Father, who doeth all things well, and in his son, Jesus Christ, through the merits of whose sacri- fice he expects ultimately to enjoy in a far greater degree the consolation and solace which have been such potent factors in moulding his character and shaping his des- tiny, not only for the life that now is but for the more abundant life beyond death's mystic stream. For many years he has been an abiding believer in the Christian faith, subscribing to the Episcopal creed, still be ing, as he long has been, one of the pillars of the church worshipping in Port Huron. ======================================================================