BIOGRAPHY: John James Mitchell; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

***********************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm

http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm
***********************************************************************

Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

JOHN JAMES MITCHELL, M. D. The family of which this gentleman is an
illustrious member is one of the oldest in America, the original
representative, Experience Mitch-ell, having come to this country in 1623, in
the ship "Ann," which was the second boat to arrive at the Plymouth Colony
after the historic "Mayflower." He was a member of an old and well known
family of England. His grandmother, Ruth Sheffield, was distantly related to
John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham and Earl of Mulgrave, whose tomb occupies a
conspicuous position in Westminster Abbey.

Concerning the history of Experience Mitchell, it is known that he was born in
1609, came to America in 1623, resided in Plymouth until 1631, removed thence
to Ducksburg, became one of the proprietors of Bridgewater, Mass., and died in
1679. His eldest son, Thomas, lived at Dart-mouth until 1677, when he removed
to Block Island and purchased one of the original sixteen lots there,
remaining in that place until his death. Next in line of descent was Thomas
M., a land-holder at New Shoreham, R. I. Following him were Joseph, Jonathan
and Joseph, Jr., all of whom were residents of New Shoreham. A son of the
latter, Solomon, was our subject's grandfather; he became a minister in the
Congregational Church, being thus engaged on Block Island, and his four sons
also chose that profession.

The father of our subject, Rev. John Sheffield Mitchell, D. D., was born on
Block Island, and, after completing his studies, entered the ministry of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, joining the Central New York Conference. For a
period of eight years he represented the American Bible Society in Baltimore,
Md., then went to Norwich, N. Y., later was in Honesdale, Pa., for four years
in Brooklyn, and afterward was pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church
of New Haven. After another sojourn in Brooklyn, he accepted the pastorate of
the Thirty-seventh Street Church in New York City, and on concluding his work
there, went to Beekman Hill Church, on Fiftieth Street. His next work was that
of organizing the colored people of North Carolina and Virginia into
conferences, and he was engaged in this way until the death of his wife, which
deep bereavement unfitted him for active labor. He was a man of splendid
physique and attractive personality, whose wide experience and keen insight
into intricate problems brought him into prominence among the leaders of his
denomination. The Maryland College conferred upon him the degree of D. D., and
he was the recipient of other honors from his fellow-men. His death occurred
in 1882, when he was eighty-two years of age.

The mother of our subject, Alice (Trask) Mitchell, was born in Preston, N. Y.,
and died in New York City, after having become the mother of three children.
The only daughter died at twelve years of age. There now survive the two sons,
John James and George B. I., both of whom are physicians of Newburgh. Our
subject was born in Cortlandville, N. V., July 28, 1834, and was reared in New
York City. For a time he was a student in Russell's Academy in New Haven, and
on his return to the metropolis he taught in that city for two years. In 1853
he began the study of medicine under Dr. Foote, of New Haven, and the
following year entered New York Medical (now Bellevue) College, from which he
was graduated in 1857 with the degree of M. D.

Beginning the practice of his profession in Williamsburg, situated just east
of Brooklyn, he became City Physician, and remained there for two years,
returning then to New York City. In 1869 he came to Newburgh, where he has
since conducted a general practice. His office is situated at No. 242
Montgomery Street, in a portion of the city built up and improved by himself.
After graduating he began the study of homeopathy, which he carried on for
four years, and afterward filled the position of Professor of Chemistry in the
New York Homeopathic Medical College for five years.

At Schuyler Lake, N. Y., in June, 1863, occurred the marriage of Dr. Mitchell
and Miss Philena B., daughter of Norman Rose, a farmer of that locality. A son
and daughter bless their union. The former, Edgar O., was born in New York
City, educated at Phillips (Exeter, N. H.) Academy and Harvard University, and
graduated from the Harvard Medical College in 1891; he is now engaged in
practice with his father. Marion Sheffield, who was born in Newburgh, is a
graduate of Wellesley College, and is now pursuing her musical studies in
Boston. The family is identified with the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Politically Dr. Mitchell is a Republican, but pays little attention to
politics. His time has been given almost wholly to his profession, and he is
recognized as one of the most eminent homeopathists of the state. His
contributions to medical literature have been extensive and valuable, and his
essay on the "Uses of the Thermometer in Disease" is perhaps the first on that
subject ever read in the United States. During his incumbency of the office of
President of the State Homeopathic Medical Association in 1883, he delivered a
very able address before the association, which was well received and widely
copied. In the American Institute of Homeopathy he has served as
Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee. For several years he has
been President of the Orange County Homeopathic Medical Association. He took
an active part in the establishment of the State Homeopathic Asylum, and was
one of the Board of Visitors of the institution. From this it will be seen
that his connection with homeopathy has been of a very important nature, and
his contributions to the progress of the science have been valuable and
appreciated.