California Biographies, Alameda County 
John L. Mitchel

History of Alameda County, California
Publisher: Oakland, Calif : M. W. Wood

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

 


John L. Mitchel.�The subject of our memoir, of whom an excellent portrait
appears in this history, is a native of the Golden State, born in Sacramento, April
17, 1851, and is now in his thirty-third year, and, although still young, is one of the
most energetic and leading spirits in the business circles in the beautiful little town
which he has selected for his future home, Livermore. Remaining in his native city
and attending the common schools until fourteen years of age, our subject then
undertook the task of doing for himself, being employed in a telegraph office at Sacramento,
from thence transferred to San Mateo, and from thence found employment
in the telegraph office of Visalia, Tulare County. After a few months' sojourn in that
place, he was transferred to Woodland, Yolo County, opening the first telegraph office
there; when, after a short residence, and in the employ of the Western Union
Telegraph Company, he returned to Sacramento. In 1867 we find Mr. Mitchel in
the telegraph office at Stockton, San Joaquin County, but subsequently transferred
to the engineer corps at that time building the Western Pacific Railroad, and in that
capacity he helped to construct the Livermore tunnel, on the completion of which he
was attached to the construction party as telegraph operator. On the finishing of
the line of the Western Pacific Railroad our subject was placed in charge of- the
station at Midway, where he served for one year; but the business of that hamlet
being of too small importance for a man of Mr. Mitchel's ability, he was promoted m
September, 1870, to the agency at the flourishing town of Livermore, which is at
present one of' the most important stations on the line between San Francisco and
Sacramento. Here, in the capacity of station-agent and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent,
the gentleman whose name appears above has labored for the past twelve years,
with the utmost satisfaction to his employers and the public alike. Mr. Mitchel is
truly a self-made man; through his own exertions he has placed himself in the front
rank among the business men of the community in which he lives, having thrice been
elected a town trustee, and his counsel is always sought on any scheme for the welfare
and advancement of the business interests of Livermore, while he is a prime mover
in public improvements and charitable matters. He is also the representative of the
Home Mutual and several other prominent insurance companies for Murray township,
and a leading member and officer in the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and other fraternities. 
In August, 1872, Mr. Mitchel was united in marriage, in San Francisco, to a
most estimable young lady, Miss Cora B. Belleau, a native of that city, by which
union they have three children, viz.: Maude, Tottie, and Mabel.