Robert Mitchell (Wisconsin politician)

Robert Mitchell (June 22, 1826 – June 21, 1899) was an American physician and farmer from Douglas Center, Wisconsin who served one term as a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Background

Mitchell was born in Moravia, New York on June 22, 1826; he graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1845, and the University of Buffalo in 1850, and became a physician and farmer.

In Wisconsin; the war and after

Mitchell moved to Wisconsin in 1857, having spent some months in Iowa and three years in California, and went into medical practice in Portage City. During the American Civil War, Mitchell was the assistant surgeon of the 10th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment for two years, and was at the Battles of Perryville and Stone River; then became surgeon of the 27th Wisconsin Volunteers, and was at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, and at the siege of Mobile.

After the war, Mitchell resumed practice in Portage, but moved to Douglass in Marquette County, in 1869, becoming a full-time farmer for some time.

Public office

Mitchell served as chairman of the town board in the Town of Douglass. In 1874, he was elected to represent Marquette County in the Assembly's 1875 session, receiving 776 votes to 654 for Democrat Neil Dimond (Democratic incumbent William Murphy was not a candidate for re-election). He was assigned to the standing committees on the militia (which he chaired) and medical societies; and to the joint committee on claims.[1]

Mitchell was defeated when he ran for re-election to the 1876 Assembly, with 507 votes to 673 for Democrat B. Frank Goodell.[2]

He ran once more for the Assembly, seeking election as a Democrat for the 1879 session, but lost with 718 votes to 953 for James W. Murphy (also a Democrat) and 69 votes for Greenbacker O. C. Pomeroy.[3]

Mitchell spent many years on the Board of Examining Surgeons for the United States Pension Department in Portage, retaining that position through several changes of national government. He moved back to Portage in 1893, and died there on June 21, 1899.[4]

References
  1. Bashford, R. M., ed. The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin: Comprising the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Wisconsin, Jefferson's Manual, Forms and Laws for the Regulation of Business; also, lists and tables for reference, etc. Fourteenth Annual Edition. Madison: Atwood and Culver, Printers and Stereotypers, 1875; pp. 244, 327, 347-348
  2. Bashford, R. M., ed. The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin: Comprising the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Wisconsin, Jefferson's Manual, Forms and Laws for the Regulation of Business; also, lists and tables for reference, etc. Fifteenth Annual Edition. Madison: E. B. Bolens, State Printer, 1876; p. 470
  3. Warner, Hans B., ed. The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin, for 1879. Containing the Constitutions of the United States and of the State; Jefferson's Manual; Rules and Orders of the Senate and Assembly, and Annals of the Legislature; also, statistical tables and history of state institutions Eighteenth Annual Edition. Madison: David Atwood, State Printer, 1879; p. 497
  4. "Dr. Robert Mitchell" in Men of the Early Day at the Winnebago Portage. Portage: The Daily Democrat, Printers: 1903; pp. 28-29.
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