Scott County Arkansas Biographies

GOODSPEED BIOGRAPHIES
Contributed by Charlene Holland

Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago and Nashville, 1891.

JOSEPH S. MITCHELL

Joseph S. Mitchell is a farmer and mechanic of Hickman Township, but was born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., in1849, to William A. and Mary A. (McCully) Mitchell, both of whom were born in the Palmetto State, the former in 1820, and the latter in 1819. After their marriage they removed to Haywood County, Tenn., and in 1870 came to Scott County, Ark., settling, a year later, on his homestead, and in 1876 he sold to his son Joseph S. He has long been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, Mrs. Mitchell being a member since she was twenty years of age. Mr. Mitchell followed saddle making for many years but of late years has given his time solely to farming. He served a short time in the Confederate Army as a conscript, but was a Union man in principle. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits, and never indulges in spirituous liquors. He is the only one of his family that ever came to Arkansas, but as he has done well here financially, and has made many warm friends, he has never regretted his move. His father, Alexander Mitchell, was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, and there learned the trade of a saddler, a calling he followed after coming to the United States. He was married in his native land, but while en route to this country he lost his wife and one child in a shipwreck. He wedded big second wife in this country, and spent the rest of his days in South Carolina, dying in 1833. Frances Jones, who became his second wife, was born in Virginia, and died in South Carolina, in 1832. The maternal grand father of the subject of this sketch, James G. D. McCully, was born in Chester District, S. C., and in 1853 moved to Alabama, where he died in 1862, a miller by trade. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Pannel, was born in Chester District, S.C., and died in Alabama, in 1856, she, as well as her husband, being a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years. The subject of this sketch is the third of five sons and four daughters, the names of his brothers and sisters being as follows: Eld. James A. (of Tennessee), Rev. John O., Hiram J. (of Sebastian County), Alice (wife of Elwood Johnson), and Johanna (wife of William W. Neal). Joseph S. was brought up to a knowledge of farm work by his father, but his school days did not exceed five months. At the very early age of thirteen years, he began taking charge of his father's business, and in 1877 was married to Miss Edna A., daughter or Eld. S.J. and Nancy E. Fuller, the former a Georgian, and the latter born in Alabama. From the latter State they removed to Louisiana, and afterward came to Logan County, Ark., where Eld. Fuller breathed his last in 1883, his widow being now a resident of Scott County. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Louisiana, and has borne her husband five children, three sons and one daughter living. They own an excellent tract of land comprising 285 acres, and have but 100 acres cleared, all of which has been brought about by Mr. Mitchell's own indomitable energy. It is well improved with good buildings, and is a valuable property. Mr. Mitchell is a member of Waldron Lodge No. 93, of the I.O.O.F., and he and his most estimable wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, both became members at the age of fourteen years, and are strictly temperate and respected citizens.