Alexander Mitchell (politician)
| 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 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 17, 1817 Ellon, Scotland |
| Died | April 19, 1887 New York City |
| Nationality | Scottish immigrant |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | John Lendrum Mitchell |
| Occupation | Banker, Investor, Railroad Magnate, Politician |
Alexander Mitchell (October 17, 1817 – April 19, 1887) was a Scottish-born banker, railroad financier and Democratic politician in Milwaukee.
He was born in Ellon, 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 Railway from 1864-1887. With fellow director Jeremiah Milbank (1818–1884) he built the Milwaukee Road into one of the most profitable railroads in the United States. He was considered the wealthiest person in Wisconsin for his generation and owned a mansion across the street from the Milwaukee County Courthouse, which survives and is now the site of the Wisconsin Club.[2]
Mitchell 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.[3] Mitchell is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.
He was an avid curler, having helped found the Milwaukee Curling Club in the 1840s, and was shortly before his death elected the "patron" of the Grand National Curling Club.
Both Mitchell Park and the street Mitchell Boulevard were named in his honor, as was the city of Mitchell, South Dakota, incorporated in 1881. In World War II, the United States liberty ship SS Alexander Mitchell was named in his honor. The Mackie Building, which was constructed by Mitchell as an investment property, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4] Additionally, the Mitchell Building, which he also built, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well.[5]
He married Martha Reed, sister of Harrison Reed (governor of Florida). His son, John L. Mitchell, was a Congressman as well, and his grandson, Billy Mitchell, is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force.
His papers, along with those of his Congressman son John, are in the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Miller, Christopher. "The History Guy". Shepherd Express. http://www.shepherd-express.com/8_23_06/newsandviews.htm. Retrieved 2006-09-28.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.wisconsinclub.com/fw/main/History-4.html
- ^ http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2480&search_term=mitchell
- ^ http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5EAB_Mackie_Building_Milwaukee_WI
- ^ http://www.historic-structures.com/wi/milwaukee/mitchell_building.php
- ^ Mitchell, Alexander, 1817-1887 "Alexander and John L. Mitchell papers, 1859-1906"
[edit] External links
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| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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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- 1817 births
- 1887 deaths
- 19th-century American railroad executives
- American curlers
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin
- People from West Allis, Wisconsin
- People from Ellon, Aberdeenshire
- Wisconsin Democrats
- Wisconsin politician stubs
- Curling biography stubs
- American winter sports biography stubs
