J. P. Mitchell
SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878
J. P. MITCHEL was born in Parke county, Indiana, October 14th, 1830, and is a son of James and Nancy MITCHEL, the former of whom died in 1871, at the age of 75, and the latter in 1873 at the age of 77. His grandfather, Wm. MITCHEL, served during the Revolutionary war, and taking part in the battle of Brandywine, and others of equal prominence. The old gentleman lived to the advanced age of 98; his wife died at the age of 75.
When Mr. Mitchel was but three years old his father moved to Woodford county, this state, where the children received each a few months' schooling; and as the gentleman of whom we write is the seventh of a family of ten children, he was compelled in a manner to shift for himself.
He earned his first money when but six years old, dropping corn at 6 1⁄4 cents a day; earning two dollars. This meager salary was increased to 12 1⁄2 cents until he was fourteen, when it was again doubled.
He was married, November 30th, 1855, to Sarah A. SHIRKE, of Parke county, Indiana.
In 1862 Mr. Mitchel came to this county with a capital of $325; $200 of which belonged to his wife. With this he paid part on the homestead, which he began at once to improve. As a mark of his industry we would say that he is at present in possession of two or three small farms, besides the homestead which has been deeded to his wife. All except four hundred dollars has been earned by hard work. Mr. Mitchel has assisted very much towards the support of the Christian church at Sidney, of which he has been a member for many years.