Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


THOMAS F. MITCHELL 
 
was born in 1827 and is a son of John and Martha (Carter) Mitchell, natives of 
Virginia, and of German origin. The subject of this sketch was in the Mexican 
war, and in 1852 came to California and mined for about eight years. In 1860 he 
engaged in the cattle business, which he followed very successfully for fifteen 
years. He then laid claim to 160 acres of land in the beautiful ca�on where he 
has since lived. He has added to this original claim several valuable farms, and 
now owns over 1,000 acres. He has given his attention to farming; till recently 
he has made quite a creditable record as an apiarist. He has over 400 stands in 
two apiaries, which yield an average of forty tons of honey per year. In 1865 he 
was married to Miss Martha Taylor, a native of Arkansas, but principally reared 
in California. Her father was Ambrose Taylor, an early pioneer of this State. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a family of four children, whose names are: Frank A., 
Fannie, John and Minnie. Mr. Mitchell is a warm friend of the common schools, 
and has taken a lively interest in educational affairs. The beautiful 
school-house near his residence is due largely to his efforts, and he has been a 
school officer for several years. He and Mrs. Mitchell are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a true pioneer, and by his industry and 
economy has made a most beautiful home at the head of Soledad Ca�on, where, 
twenty-one years ago, the bears were so numerous that he found great difficulty 
in protecting his stock against them, and where the Indians were so dangerous 
that he had to leave his wife and children behind for nearly two years. Surely 
the country owes a debt of gratitude to those old pioneers, who have braved such 
dangers and hardships to develop its resources and to make such comfortable and 
beautiful homes for those they love most dear.
 
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California �  Chicago, The Lewis 
Publishing Company, 1889   Page 777
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler