Alexander MITCHELL, Congress, WI (1817-1887)

MITCHELL, Alexander, (father of John Lendrum Mitchell), a Representative from Wisconsin; born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, October 18, 1817; attended the parish schools and completed a commercial course; studied law; became a banking-house clerk; immigrated to the United States in 1839 and settled in Milwaukee, Wis.; engaged in banking; president of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. 1864-1887; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1868 to the Forty-first Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second and Forty-third Congresses (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1875); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1874; nominated in 1877 for Governor, but declined to be a candidate; resumed banking interests; died while on a visit in New York City April 19, 1887; interment in Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wis.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present