BIOGRAPHY: George S. MITCHELL, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 210-2
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GEORGE S. MITCHELL, Yard Master of the Pennsylvania railroad yards, at Cresson, 
this county, is a son of George S. and Sarah (Miller) Mitchell, and was born 
near Shelocta, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, July 26, 1850. His paternal 
grandfather, Robert Mitchell, was of Scotch parentage and birth, and when a 
young man settled in Indiana county, being one of the pioneer settlers of that 
county. He was a farmer, and a member of the Secender church. After coming to 
this country he married Miss Margaret Smith, who was also a native of Scotland. 
He died in 1853, at the advanced age of eighty years.
     Moses Miller (maternal grandfather) who was of German extraction, was one 
of the pioneer settlers of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, where he owned a 
large farm, which at his death, in 1869, was divided among his children.
     George S. Mitchell, father, was born near Shelocta, in 1811, received his 
education in the subscription schools of those days, and for many years devoted 
his attention to farming. In 1866 he located in Blair county, where, for several 
terms, he served as county coroner. Many years prior to his death he retired 
from active life, and during these years of leisure found ample time to gratify 
his desire for good reading. He had always been a careful reader, and read with 
keen appreciation the productions of our best authors. He was a member of the 
Presbyterian church, and for forty years held the responsible position of elder 
in that church. He died in Altoona, April 26, 1886.
     George S. Mitchell, the subject of these memoirs, was educated in the 
public schools of Armstrong and Indiana counties, where he spent his boyhood 
days. From 1865 until 1868 he was employed in Beaver and Blair counties. In 
October, of the latter year, he enlisted in the volunteer service, under the now 
renowned General Custer. He served under his command about one year, fighting 
Indians, and establishing forts throughout Kansas, Texas, and Mexico. During 
this time he passed through some very thrilling experiences, and made several 
very narrow escapes from the Indians. It was his privilege to make the 
acquaintance of many of the noted Indian scouts, among whom were Buffalo Bill, 
Wild Bill, and others of note, who were under the instructions of General 
Custer.
     After leaving the service, Mr. Mitchell transported freight from 
Leavenworth, Kansas to the Cherokee Nation. In this way he was thrown in contact 
with such chiefs as Johnny Cake, his brother, Charles Johnny Cake, and many 
full-blooded Cherokee Indian scouts, who have rendered valuable service to the 
government.
     In 1869 he took the contract for hauling the stone to be used in 
constructing a bridge near Ottawa, Kansas, for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
railroad. On completing this contract he engaged in farming in Kansas until the 
fall of 1870, when he came east, and located in Blair county, Pennsylvania. 
About this time he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, as 
brakeman, but was shortly made freight conductor, and for fourteen years ran a 
train from Altoona to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1892 he was appointed yard 
master at Cresson, which position he occupies at the present time.      He is 
prominently identified with the Order of Railway Conductors, and has served as 
delegate for many of their conventions. He is a life-member of that order.
     With his family he is prominently connected with the Baptist congregation, 
and since locating in Cresson has been superintendent of the Sabbath-school in 
connection with the Presbyterian church.
     On December 18, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Stiffler, a 
daughter of John H. Stiffler, of Blair county. To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have 
been born three sons and one daughter: Percy S., connected with the D. E. 
department of the Pennsylvania Railroad company; John Hays, connected with the 
passenger department of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, and located in 
Washington, D. C.; Marguerite and Paul at home.