Mitchell, John L. (John Lendrum), 1842-1904.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Mitchell, John L. (John Lendrum), 1842-1904.

Mitchell family papers, 1847-1923.

UWM Manuscript Collection 75

1 cubic ft. (1 record center carton)

ABSTRACT: The collection contains the miscellaneous papers of a prominent Milwaukee business and political family. The most extensive parts of the collection is John L. Mitchell's personal letters to his wife, Harriet, and her incoming correspondence from friends. The senatorial correspondence of John L. Mitchell is largely routine constituent correspondence or requests for support from fellow legislators, and includes letters from Frederick Pabst, William Jennings Bryan, Charles King, Arthur MacArthur, Alfred Thayer Mahan, William Rosecrans, Edward Salomon, William Tecumseh Sherman, and William F. Vilas.

The collection contains some correspondence of Alexander Mitchell, including a request from Lyman Draper for Mitchell's financial support of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and copies of several campaign speeches. Also included is an invitation and brochure on the christening of the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin in 1898. Contains a photograph of aviator Billy Mitchell at the age of four months, and letters (1894-1901) to his father, John L., largely concerning an appointment in the cavalry and a trip around the world.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The papers include family and business papers of the Mitchell family. The correspondence of Alexander Mitchell with his wife Martha and daughter Harriet, and his outgoing correspondence (1881-1887), usually deals with family matters. There are letters discussing the appointment of his son John as an officer in the 24th Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War. Mitchell's incoming correspondence largely involves requests for extensions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co. It also includes a 20 August 1869 letter from Lyman Draper, asking for Mitchell's support in building a book binding fund and general fund for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. There is one file containing copies of the legal agreements between Mitchell and George Smith establishing the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Comapny. There is also a small file of three campaign speeches given by Alexander Mitchell while running for the U.S. Congress. None of the speeches are dated, but one appears to be from his 1870 campaign, two from his 1872 campaign. A fourth speech was given by Mitchell while delivering his electoral vote for Horace Greely in 1872.

The bulk of the John L. Mitchell's incoming correspondence (1884-1901) was written during his senatorial career, consisting mainly of constituent letters and requests for support for legislation by members of the government. The letters are arranged alphabetically. Included is correspondence from William Jennings Bryan, Charles King, Arthur MacArthur, Jr., Alfred Thayer Mahan, Frederick Pabst, William Rosecrans, Edward Salomon, William Tecumseh Sherman, and William F. Vilas.

There is also an extensive number of letters written by John Mitchell to his wife, Harriet, (1884-1903), and a few letters to his children, mostly concerning family matters, such as health, personal finances, and meeting with friends. Some comments on meetings with political figures or on Washington politics are scattered through the letters.

Harriet Mitchell's incoming correspondence (1879-1902) is almost entirely from friends dealing with family and social matters, such as the children's education, personal finances, and social engagements. The few letters from her children (1892-1904) and those she sent to friends (1879-1901) also pertain to family and personal matters.

The collection also contains miscellaneous family correspondence, business and legal records, and an invitation and program for the christening of the U.S.S. Wisconsin in 1898.

Of special interest are a photograph of William "Billy" Mitchell, at four months of age, and copies of letters sent by William to his father, John L. Mitchell. One letter (1894) was written while William was at Racine College and describes his sporting activities and an eye examination. Several letters (1900) were written while he served in the U.S. Army during the Phillipine Insurrection, and discuss the military situation. The letters include William's appeal for his father's help in obtaining a commission in the cavalry and posting at Fort Meyer, Virgina, and his plans for a trip to Japan, China, India, and northern Africa. Two letters (1901) were written while William was on the trip, and mostly describe local conditions in Japan and India. Another 1901 letter describes William's activities at Fort Meyer and several social engagements.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Alexander Mitchell, (18 October 1817-19 April 1887), was a prominent Wisconsin banker, railroad promoter and executive, and politician.

John L. Mitchell, (19 October 1842-29 June 1904), was the only surviving child of Alexander's first marriage, to Martha Reed. After studying abroad, John L. Mitchell returned to serve in the 24th Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War. In 1863, he mustered out because of an illness and returned to his farm in Wisconsin, where he raised trotting horses. He became active in Democratic Party politics and was elected to Congress in 1890 and to the U.S. Senate in 1893. Mitchell was also prominent in business, notably with the Marine Fire and Insurance Company, the Milwaukee Gas Company, and the Northwestern Fire Insurance Company, as well as various philanthropic ventures. He retired from politics in 1899 and studied in Europe until 1902, when he returned to Milwaukee, where he lived until his death in 1904.

Mitchell married Harriet Danforth Becker in 1878. They had eight children who survived infancy: Catharine; Florence, Harriet; Janet; John; Martha; Ruth; and William (the aviator).

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Mitchell, John L. (John Lendrum), 1842-1904. Mitchell family papers 1847-1923. UWM Manuscript Collection 75. University Manuscript Collection. Archives. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Mrs. Martin Fladoes donated the collection to the Milwaukee Public Library in June 1962. The Library transferred the collection to the Milwaukee Urban Archives in March 1991 (accession number 95-051).

PROCESSING: Terry Stokke and Mark A. Vargas processed the collection between in April and August 1991 at the Milwaukee Urban Archives.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Mitchell, Alexander, 1817-1887.
Mitchell family.
Mitchell, William, 1879-1936.

UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 75	BOX	FOLDER
Alexander Mitchell, Correspondence to Harriet Mitchell, Daughter, 1883-1886	1	1
Alexander Mitchell, Correspondence to Martha Mitchell, Wife, 1862-1863	1	2
Alexander Mitchell, Incoming Correspondence, 1846-1874	1	3
Alexander Mitchell, Outgoing Correspondence, 1881-1887	1	4
Alexander Mitchell, Papers Regarding Certificate of Deposit Issued by Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Co. to Alexander Mitchell, 1849	1	5
Alexander Mitchell, Speeches, circa 1870, 1872	1	6
Harriet Mitchell (Wife of John L. Mitchell), Correspondence from her Children, 1892-1904	1	7
Harriet Mitchell, Incoming Correspondence, 1879-1902	1	8-12
Harriet Mitchell, Outgoing Correspondence, 1879-1901	1	13
Harriet Mitchell, (Daughter of John L. and Harriet Mitchell), Postcards from Sisters, 1900-1903	1	14-15
John L. Mitchell, Correspondence to Bob Chivas, 1860-1862	1	16
John L. Mitchell, Correspondence to Harriet Mitchell, Wife, 1884-1903	1	17-25
John L. Mitchell, Correspondence to his Children, 1893-99	1	26
John L. Mitchell, Incoming Correspondence, 1884-1901	1	27-35
Martha Mitchell, Correspondence, 1893-1896	1	36
Miscellaneous Family Business and Legal Papers, 1876-1894	1	37
Miscellaneous Papers, 1859-1894	1	38
U.S.S. Wisconsin, Christening, 1898	1	39
William Mitchell, Correspondence with His Father, John L., 1894-1901	1	40
William Mitchell, Photograph, 1880	1	41