Samuel M. Mitchell, commissioner of highways for the town of North Hempstead and an influential resident of Port Washington, was born August 25, 1847, in the house now occupied by Captain Stennard in this village. His father, Charles W., who was born in the same house November 11, 1816, was reared on a farm and in boyhood attended the district schools, later turning his attention to agriculture, which he made his occupation for many years. Later, however, he took up the stage line business, and ran a coach from the dock at Port Washington to Sand’s Point. For ten years he was not connected with the business, but later resumed it and still retains an interest in it. His entire life has been spent in Port Washington, where he still resides. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah E. Covert and was born in New York City, April 10, 1816.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Whitehead Mitchell, was born in the town of North Hempstead, and as soon as old enough took charge of a sloop, of which he was captain for many years, but later he engaged in farm pursuits. His death occurred in 1862, at the age of about eighty. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret E. Cornwell and was a daughter of Hewlett Cornwell, a descendant of the Cornwells who were the first settlers at Sand’s Point. Our subject’s great-grandfather, John Mitchell, Jr., was born in the town of North Hempstead, and attained the venerable age of four score years, dying in 1823. Twice married, his second union was childless, and it was his first wife, Rebecca Hewlett, who was the ancestor of our subject.

Tracing the family lineage back another generation, we find that our subject’s great- great-grandfather, John Mitchell, Sr., was born in the town of North Hempstead in May, 1716, and chose as his wife Deborah Prince, who attained the age of eighty-nine. The great-great-grandfather, Robert Mitchell, Jr., was twice married, both times to widows, his first wife being the progenitor of this branch of the family; she bore the maiden name of Phoebe Denton. This Robert Mitchell, Jr., was a son of Robert, Sr., of England, a descendant of Sir Humphrey Mitchell, of Old Windsor, County of Berks.

The boyhood years of Samuel M. were passed on a farm, and he was the recipient of common school advantages. September 29, 1877, he married Miss Lizzie S. Robinson, who was born in Maine, but at the time of her marriage lived in Port Washington. Her parents were Rev. William and Miranda (Pierson) Robinson, the latter dying at Brooklyn before the family came to Port Washington. Two children bless the union, both born at Port Washington, and named Hannah E. and John Greenleaf, born respectively in 1878 and 1884. While engaged in general agricultural work, Mr. Mitchell has made a specialty of truck farming, in which he has been very successful. A Republican politically, he cast his first presidential ballot for General Grant in 1868. In 1887 he was elected commissioner of highways, was re-elected in April, 1896, and is now serving his fourth term. His father cast his first presidential vote in 1840 for General Harrison, and has always been a Whig or Republican. Fraternally Samuel Mitchell is a Mason and holds membership in Morton Lodge No. 63, at Hempstead.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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