Alexander Mitchell (politician)

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Alexander Mitchell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by Charles A. Eldredge
Succeeded by William P. Lynde
Born October 17, 1817
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Died April 19, 1887
New York City
Nationality Scottish
Political party Democratic
Children John Lendrum Mitchell
Occupation Banking
Mitchell family monument
Mitchell family monument

Alexander Mitchell (October 17, 1817 – April 19, 1887) was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and immigrated to the United States in 1839. He pursued a career in banking in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, founded the Marine Bank of Wisconsin,[1] and served as president of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company from 1864-1887. He also served in the Forty-second United States Congress and Forty-third United States Congress. He was nominated for Governor of Wisconsin in 1877, but he declined.

Alexander Mitchell was considered the wealthiest person in Wisconsin for his generation and had an estate in what is now the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin. His son John L. Mitchell was a politician and his grandson, Billy Mitchell, is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force. Both Mitchell Park and the street Mitchell Boulevard were named in honor of Alexander. The city of Mitchell, SD, incorporated in 1881, also was named in his honor.

Mitchell is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. In World War II the United States liberty ship SS Alexander Mitchell was named in his honor.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Miller, Christopher. The History Guy. Shepherd Express. Retrieved on 2006-09-28.
Preceded by
Halbert Eleazer Paine		 United States Representative for the 1st Congressional District of Wisconsin
1871-1873		 Succeeded by
Charles Grandison Williams
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Persondata
NAME Alexander Mitchell
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Wisconsin politician and railroader
DATE OF BIRTH October 17, 1817
PLACE OF BIRTH Aberdeenshire, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH April 19, 1887
PLACE OF DEATH New York City