Newton County GaArchives Obituaries.....Mitcham, Jas. M. November 14, 1907
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Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 June 24, 2006, 7:11 pm

The Enterprise,  November 22, 1907
Hon. J. M. Mitcham Dead
     Thursday afternoon, November 14, at 5 o’clock, Hon Jas. M. Mitcham, one of 
Newton’s time honored citizens and veteran educators, passed away at his home 
six miles north of Covington.
     As the setting sun was casting its receding rays against the azure deep, 
reflecting the close of a beautiful day, the life spirit of this grand, good 
man responded to the Master’s call, “Well done thou faithful servant,” and bid 
adieu to its palace of clay and was waited to mansions of a purer clime beyond 
the “smiling and the weeping,” marking the close of a noble and useful life. 
And as the somber peels of weird dirges die away a pall of sadness encompasses 
a host of many who submit to the inevitable fate of death and bow to the will 
of Him who doeth all things well.
     His demise removes from service one of whom it can be truly said, “The 
world has been made better by his having lived.” Born in 1834 at a crucial 
period when educational advantages were meager, he attained the age of manhood, 
after which he was made to view the beauties of intelligence, and by tenacious 
application he surmounted every obstacle and over mountains of endeavor he 
reached the plains of success; few men, if any of his age delving deeper in the 
mounds of knowledge.
     He chose teaching as his profession, where he might lead others from 
darkness to light, and where he might never cease to study. He loved the 
calling and was best pleased when in the service. He was a strong believer in 
men doing that which they can best serve their fellow man and always encouraged 
faithful teachers never to give up the work. His career is marked by the 
principals of the old regime and hundreds of men and women- his students- 
attest his faithfulness and pay him homage.
     Mr. Mitcham was a native of Newton County. He was a Confederate soldier 
and received a severe wound at the battle of Cold Harbor. For his brave 
gallantry he received several promotions.
     In 1871 he was married to Miss Martha Mayfield, who, with eight children 
survive him.
     He was a Christian gentleman, and was perfectly devoted to each member of 
his happy family. His nature was genial and it seemed to be his will that home 
should be a heaven on earth, and many were they who gathered there.
     He will be greatly missed. No more will he teach; no more will he visit 
our schools; no more will he fill his chair among the Fathers of Education; no 
more will he fill his pew, and no more will he sit as husband and father in a 
happy home, but as he casts his jeweled diadem at the Savior’s feet he 
vouchsafes a rich legacy to bedeck the archives of memory till we shall meet 
again.
     The funeral conducted by Rev. Wm. McConnell occurred at Salem Church near 
his home Friday afternoon. J. O. M.


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