James Josiah Mitchell - The Horse Dealer who had 5 wives!

The Horse Dealer and his many wives

This is the history and life of 

James Josiah Mitchell

    My third Great Granduncle, James Josiah Mitchell, was born May 26th, 1852. According to his niece, Annie Mitchell, who wrote the *"Mitchell Family Sketch", James was born "in or near Kankakee, Illinois". His parents were Josiah Fuller Mitchell and Charlotte M. (Ingalls) Mitchell. His father, Josiah was known for : bee keeping, mining, auctioneering, entertaining with his violin, his prized horses and more. 

James was the brother of: a half sister, Maggie Mitchell (by his father's first wife, Harriet), full siblings: Alonzo Winfield Mitchell (whom also went into Horse Dealing with him for a time), Ellen Melissa Mitchell, Roxanna (Roxy Anne) Mitchell and Sarah Delphine Mitchell. Then 3 half siblings (by his father's third wife Ollie Stone Ayers: Elizabeth Naomi Mitchell, George Frederick Mitchell and Bessie Mitchell. 

James has been a very interesting man and relative to research. The Mitchell family in general were the most adventurous group of people, they were known as great entertainers, some even becoming Showmen.

James was a little boy at the time when he and his family removed from Illinois to Howard County, Iowa by covered wagon drawn by ox teams. Per Annie Mitchell: "They arrived to their destination New Oregon ( a town now extinct) on August 8th, the next month. There they settled on a homestead on what is now known as Mitchell Creek." "The next year Josiah (James's father) moved his family to Osage, Iowa." "Then they moved back." The family then lived with Josiah's father-in-law until 1860." "In 1862 Josiah was caught in a blizzard and fell victim to a severe cold and cough." As Josiah's illness continued he was advised by his doctors to move to a warmer climate. The climate of aim, was the one in the Rocky Mountains. In 1864, the family decided Josiah needed to go West, it was also decided he would take his 16 year old son, Alonzo "Lonnie" (James's brother) with him. The rest of the family would stay behind in New Oregon, Iowa.

*Citation: Annie (Mitchell) Fritz, personal family narrative named the "Mitchell Family Sketch". This family narrative is not available online as it is in our own personal family papers.

James was 12 years old when his father and older brother left in the Spring of 1864. His father had gone away for slightly over 3 years, leaving James to spend most of his teenage years without his father's guidance. I imagine, he had to grow up fast. In 1866, James lost his younger sister, Roxy Anne, who was 11 years old, to disease. In 1871, his mother, Charlotte passed away, James was only 19 years old at the time. In 1872, James's father married Olive Stone Ayers, they went on to have 3 children. It is hard to say how all this affected James or how some of these years shaped what transpired in his manhood. James's life goes on to be wrought with drama, moving from state to state and marrying 4 wives and possibly a 5th.

James was a Horse Dealer all his life. The Mitchell's bred horses and won awards in Howard County for their stallions. 

November 11th 1868, at the age of 16 years old, James wed Sarah White in Howard County, Iowa. Sarah would be wife number 1 for James. On July 9th of 1869, James and Sarah had their first child, a daughter they named, Frances Nevada Mitchell, nicknamed "Frankie". She was born in Cresco, Howard County, Iowa. By the time they had their 2nd child, Maud May Mitchell, the family might have moved from Iowa. As an adult in Maud's censuses and other documents, she says she was born either in Kansas, Iowa or Wisconsin. It's like she just isn't sure where she was born. So let's say during that period, we are unclear where the family was located. 

By December of 1880, James and his wife Sarah were living in Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa. In December of that year, James files for divorce from his wife, Sarah, in Bremer county court. He stats to the court, that he is worried that she will succeed in murdering him. When you take a good hard look at James's full life, after this marriage, you get an idea what sort of man he might have been. This leads me to believe, he might have been a ladies man of sorts and philandered a bit. I'd bet, this is why she might have felt this angry about him going out each night, threatening she would poison him with strychnine if she had to.

Below is the 3 page divorce document:

Dated December Term 1880

District Court of the State of Iowa in and for Bremer County. 

James J. Mitchell Plaintiff VS. Sarah Mitchell Defendant.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Source: Bremer County Court in Bremer County, Iowa. 1880.

THE 2nd WIFE

In June of 1880, Six months prior to James's divorce from his 1st wife, he is found living with Ella Grace Black's family as a border. Occupation listed: Dealer in Horses.

Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Waverly, Bremer, Iowa; Roll: 329; Page: 374a; Enumeration District: 080

In December 1880, the same month that James's divorce is final, he marries his second wife, the one he was bordering with, ELLA GRACE BLACK. They marry on on the 20th. He obviously had this relationship going during his marriage to Sarah (White). Now we see why Sarah was so outraged. In his marriage document to Ella Grace, he is listed once again, a Horse Dealer. 

Citation: Iowa Department of Public Health; Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Marriage Records, 1880–1922; Record Type: Marriage. Description Volume: 300 (Adair - Cedar). 

Around 1881 James's brother, my third Great Grandfather, Alonzo Winfield Mitchell, is selling horses with him.

Oct of 1881, James and Alonzo's father, Josiah F. Mitchell passes away from Bright's Disease while he had been living in Silvercliff, Colorado. This was a great loss for the family.

The split of Ella Grace and James: Per Annie, the niece of James, she states, that he and Ella Grace moved to South Dakota, where she divorced him and was able to keep the land they had there. 

I have not been able to find any children that transpired during this marriage. I also have not found a newspaper ad stating a request for a Separation or Divorce. No land documents have been found.

THE 3rd WIFE

Enter stage right, Lizzie Kirby! This wife's story with James is a doozy! James removes himself from Bremer County, Iowa to Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. When he exactly left South Dakota, I don't know. However, we find a newspaper article from the:

Lincoln Journal Star dated: May 12, 1891 

and on page 4, the title reads:

"THEY WERE WED IN A HURRY!"

According to this article they married fast to avoid the old folks coming home before they were done. I am guessing, those old folks were Lizzie's parents. It also states, James was working on a farm. I was able to locate a barn / farm that went by the name THE ORIENTAL STABLE a.k.a The Oriental Livery Stable or the Oriental Barn.

In the 1891 Directory for Lincoln, Nebraska, the same year that James married Lizzie Kirby, I found a James W. Mitchell as a foreman at the Oriental Stable. I believe this to be our James but they made a mistake on his middle initial.

Citation: Title: U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995, Author: Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2469/records/987658300?tid=176777069&pid=292303406463&ssrc=pt

James J. Mitchell & Lizzie Kirby's Marriage Document

In the document below, you can clearly see this is our James J. Mitchell, as he lists his parents as: Josiah Mitchell and Charlotte Ingals. The marriage is dated: 11th day of May, 1891. James is 34 years old and claims he was born in Illinois and his residence is Lincoln, Nebraska. Lizzie is 28 years old. 

I will have to find the citation for this document.

I found Lizzie in the 1891 directory for Lincoln, Nebraska working as a Cook in the Merchants Hotel. 

The Drama begins!

In this article from the Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska, dated, Saturday, September 4th, 1897, on page 1.

the title reads:

CHIEF PARKER PUZZLED.

This is a real work of art to be honest. 

In a nutshell the articles says:

The chief of police is questioning Lizzy (Kirby) Mitchell about a letter he received from a man in Woodland, Wisconsin. The man has made a complaint against a Miss "Libby" Mitchell. He said he believed the lady was in the habit of answering matrimonial advertisements in the paper and requesting the man with whom she is in correspondence send her money. He said he had received a lot of letters from her and sent them to the police officer. He told the officer he had offered to come there to see the lady and she said it was impossible. He told the chief he thought the woman was using mails for fraudulent purposes. Lizzie thinks this must be one big joke. The Chief can't make sense of the case. 

Here is my sneaking suspicion and this is only my thoughts not fact: James realized he wanted out of the marriage and was trying to come up with some story to make his wife look bad. James had an Uncle with family in Wisconsin. Could he have gone there? Well, you as the reader, can make up your own mind. Next, Lizzie tried to commit suicide.

6 days later, Lizzie tries to end her life!

According to the Lincoln Journal Star dated Friday, September 10th, 1897 from Lincoln, Nebraska on page 2, Lizzie tried to end her life by taking Chloroform. She would not tell the cause of such an act.

This next Newspaper article from Lincoln, Nebraska, the Lincoln Journal Star, dated Friday, September 10th 1897, on page 1, gives us the very sad reasoning for Lizzie's state of mind. 

Title:

WEDDING GRIEVED HER!

This article is a bit different saying she took Opium to end her sorrow. Her husband had left approximately two weeks prior, took a new life companion and moved away. She said she loved him with all "the ardor possible and presumed her feelings were reciprocated and she did not know until the contrary until yesterday. When she discovered for the first time that his wedding had taken place. She said she could not stand this so she wanted to leave the earth." 

Lizzie demands $10,000 for Damages!

Things heat up according to the Lincoln Journal Star for Lincoln Nebraska, dated: Tuesday, September 14th, 1897. On page 3 

Mrs. Lizzie Mitchell

"WANTS $10,000 DAMAGES"

"Mrs. Lizzie Mitchell Contemplates Suing an Unfaithful Suitor.

Mrs. Lizzie Mitchell, who attempted to quit this vale the other night by taking chloroform or opium, has authorized an attorney to commence suit today for $10,000 damages against an alleged unfaithful suitor, whom she says got her into trouble. 

An effort was made to effect a settlement yesterday but the prospective defendant is said to have told her she would never get anything as he would confess judgement for the amount, his property or what he was being so placed that she could not be benefited by the confession."

That was all we heard of Lizzie.

WIFE NUMBER FOUR...and FIVE!

Now, this one he must have liked, he married her twice, or is this a case more like "The War of the Roses"?

1893, James married his fourth wife, ELLEN E. KARNEY in DeSmet, South Dakota.

Notice the year! He married Ellen while most likely still married to Lizzie. Also the South Dakota part is interesting, did he meet her while going back to visit his children, who most had at one time lived with wife number one in South Dakota? My mother also reminded me that some of James's mother's Ingalls side lived in South Dakota.

Many on genealogy sites confuse Ellen E Karney with James's 2nd wife Ella Grace Black. They are not the same woman. They have different parents etc.

Here is another HOT tidbit!

By 1900, James had moved back to Iowa. In the Le Mars, Plymouth County, Iowa census for that year he is living with Ellen and they have a daughter, Nellie Mitchell. Nellie is 9 years old! That means that daughter was born prior to that 1893 marriage! She would have been born in 1891, the year he had married Lizzie Kirby! However, the census photo below shows she is 9 years old born in 1890, in South Dakota. So, could she really be Jame's 2nd wife's daughter, as they were from South Dakota? I have never proven she had children but she certainly could have? More research needs to be done when it comes to Nellie.

1900 Census for Plymouth County, Iowa

James J Mitchell is 48 years old, says married in 1893, born in Illinois and is a Dealer in Horses. Wife Ellen E says she is 41 years old, born in New York and works as a Laundress. Nellie is 9 years old born in South Dakota and it says at school.

Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa; Roll: 453; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0099; FHL microfilm: 1240453. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4120116_00043?pId=4391696

ELLEN WANTS A DIVORCE IN 1900!

I could not find may details around this time period, but in this same year a Newspaper article was published in the Missouri Valley Times in Missouri Valley Iowa, dated: Thursday, February 15, 1900. Page 4 article titled "COURT AT LE MARS."

The bottom portion of the article has:

"Ellen E. Mitchell, of this city, prays for divorce from her husband, James J. Mitchell. Her petition states, she was married to the defendant in DeSmet SD in Sep 1893. She asks for divorce on the ground of cruelty and habitual drunkeness and states she is in bodily fear of the defendant."

A second Newspaper article from the Le Mars Semi - Weekly Post published in LeMars, Iowa dated: Tuesday, February 13th, 1900 says:

"Ellen E. Mitchell of this city asks for a legal separation from her husband, J.J. Mitchell, on the ground of habitual drunkeness and inhuman treatment. She says he has frequently beat her and threatened to knock her brains out. Her attorneys are McDuffle & Keenan."

Ellen must have gotten a legal divorce because the craziest thing happens. She remarries James in 1902!

Published in the Le Mars Semi - Weekly Sentinel, published in LeMars, Iowa on Monday, November 24, 1902, page 4:

"Mrs. Ellen E. Mitchell of this city and James J. Mitchell were united in marriage on Thursday, November 20, by Rev. A. C. Martin, pastor of St. John's church. Mr and Mrs. Mitchell were formerly married but have been divorced. They have now concluded to venture on a second matrimonial voyage together. They will reside on Court Street."

This was the reason on her marriage document in 1902 to James she has listed this her 2nd marriage and her name in that document was Mitchell not Karney.

1902 Marriage document, LeMars, Plymouth County, Iowa

Citation: Iowa Department of Public Health; Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Marriage Records, 1880–1922; Record Type: Marriage. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8823/images/42563_fp030872_0113-00231?pId=3906764

1904 the LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, published in Lemars, Iowa on Tuesday, October 31st, 1905 writes:

"Mrs. J.J. Mitchell and daughter Nellie went to Sioux City yesterday to visit friends." 

So can this mean she is the mother of Nellie?

1904 page 4 of the LeMars Sentinel, published in Lemars, Iowa on Tuesday, March 22nd.

1904 also brings great sorrow, James loses his eldest and closest brother, Alonzo to suicide. Alonzo in a state of melancholy, on the eve of his wedding anniversary, shot himself in the heart.

By 1905, the couple still lives in LeMars, Iowa. They can be found in the census for that year. 

After 1905, I lose track of Ellen, Nellie and James. 

WE JUMP TO APRIL 1919 in WELDONA, COLORADO!

James buys property in the same city, Weldona, Morgan County, Colorado, his daughter from his 1st wife, Maud May Mitchell is living in. Maud had married 1st, Arthur Graham and 2nd William Hoxie. She was living with William during this time. 

Citation: "Sterling, Logan, Colorado, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9T2-Y98Z-2?view=explore : Aug 31, 2025), image 417 of 1005; United States. National Archives (Denver, Colorado). Image Group Number: 101153945

1920: James is found in the census for Weldona, Colorado. 

Info on census: Name: James J Mitchell, Age: 68, Birth Year: abt 1852, Birthplace: Illinois, Home in 1920: Weldona, Morgan, Colorado, Street: Highway Street Weldoner. House Number: X, Residence Date: 1920, Race: White, Gender: Male, Relation to Head of House: Head, Marital Status: Widowed, Father's Birthplace: Illinois, Mother's Birthplace: Illinois, Able to Speak English: Yes, Occupation: Farmer Labor, Industry: Farm, Employment Field: Wage or Salary, Home Owned or Rented: Owned, Home Free or Mortgaged: Free Able to read: Yes, Able to Write: Yes.

So in 1920 James is claiming he is a widow. If this is true then Ellen E. might have passed away between 1905 and 1920. I have not yet found a death record for her.

THE LAST LEAP!

Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado

For this last chapter in James's life we really are relaying on his niece's account of the family. She claims he died in Colorado Springs and is buried there. What happened in Colorado Springs and is this him that I have found?

1923 Directory for Colorado Springs lists a James J. Mitchell.

Citation: Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/12660557?pId=737774421

1927 Directory for Colorado Springs

Citation: 

https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/14954646?pId=946629505

IS THIS JAMES GETTING MARRIED AT 75 YEARS OLD?

Here me out on this one: We know James likes to marry. He is the same age as this man. Could he have just used a different middle name in this record? Very possible! Notice his bride is only 24 years old. The date of this marriage is January 23, 1928. This would be 6 months prior to James's passing. I found that Lucile A. Mitchell, was a widow of Jas. J. Mitchell in the 1929 Directory for Colorado Springs. 

1929 directory for Colorado Springs listing Lucile Mitchell as a widow of Jas. J. Mitchell.

Citation: Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469/images/14894791?pId=940619411

If this was James he decided to go in true James J. Mitchell style!

On Findagrave they have Jame's death information:

 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71530563/james-josiah-mitchell  

DEATH: 12 Jul 1928 (aged 75–76) in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA. BURIAL: Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA

------------------------------------

    So that was the life of James Josiah Mitchell in a nutshell! What a life! I do hope that if there are direct descendants out there, that they might share in the comment section more that they know about James. Me, as a Great Grand Niece, I only know so much but holy cow, he sure lead a life!

Thank you once again for stopping by my blog,

please peruse my other posts. I did one just the other day on James's father and brother and their gold mining claims in Montana. Go check it out!

Sunny :)

Mitchell Gulch - J. F. Mitchell and son A. W. Mitchell 1865 mining claims in Montana

Striking Gold in 1865!
The Mitchells of Mitchell Gulch Montana

Helena, Montana, photo taken 1865 of Bridge Street. 12 miles from Mitchell Gulch.

https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/14557?keywords=1865&type=all&highlights=WyIxODY1Il0%3D

On May 26, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed the act creating the Montana Territory, that same month Josiah Fuller Mitchell "Si" and his 16 year old son, Alonzo Winfield Mitchell "Lonnie", left their home in New Oregon, Iowa for a three month journey to the Rocky Mountains. There they would spend three years digging through dirt to change their lives.

In today's blog post, I'll be sharing a bit of my 3rd and 4th Great Grandfather's mining adventures, the men who went with them, their mining claims and some of their Montana land deeds. The goal: to have all their mining information in one place for descendants to access. Below is a family photo: On the left is my 3rd Great Grandfather, Alonzo Winfield Mitchell, nicknamed "Lonnie". To the right of him is a man who we believe is a brother. We have yet to find a photo of their father, Josiah Fuller Mitchell a.k.a "Si". We do have a photo of their mother, Charlotte (Ingalls) Mitchell and Alonzo's daughter, Annie, further down in this story. So let's begin:

Source: Private family photos.

To help with some facts, I am going to the best source, Annie Mitchell, Alonzo's daughter. She wrote a family book that is not published publicly. Below are some quotes from her book on the men departing Iowa.

Photo of Annie (Mitchell) Fritz, shared with me from my mother.

Per Annie:

"Josiah Mitchell, who had contracted a severe cough and lung trouble through having been caught in a merciless blizzard had been advised by the Doctors to go to the mountains in the West. This he did not care to do but the Doctor's admonition was so inculcated upon him that he could find no rest. By Spring he had decided to go and take Lonnie, his son, with him." (Lonnie was 16 at this time).

"About that time a Company was being organized to go to Idaho and Montana. Josiah and Lonnie and a large number of men from New Oregon joined this Company. It however took time to ascertain how many could be rounded up that would be willing to go in the wagon train across the planes to the Rockies."

"When the day was set to start there were twenty men, some taking their wives. It was a great day for the little old New Oregon. Grief was manifested among the wives and families of those left behind. And although much fear was expressed about the travelers reaching their destination the courageous men did their utmost to allay all fears. On the morning of May 4th, 1864 they (most of them tearfully) waved their good byes."

In another of Annie's collection was the "Mitchell Family Sketch". In this she lists the men who went with Josiah and Alonzo:

"Frank Mead, Hank Ingram, Walt Schofield, A.M. Fellows, Edward Chapin, Bob Pierce, Albert Merry, Bill Lolzenger, Tom McCray and a man named Shook." 

"Albert Merry died on the way of spotted fever." and "A baby was also born on the trip."

Below: Some of the men were listed in the local newspaper for Friday, May 6, 1864.

The Times-Plain Dealer - Cresco, Iowa · Friday, May 06, 1864 page 2

Charlotte, Josiah's wife, stayed behind with the rest of their children in New Oregon, Iowa. By the time the group reached Boise, Idaho, Josiah's health was much improved. 

According to Annie: Josiah took up claims in Idaho, prospected and did some auctioneering. Josiah and Alonzo also entertained at the "Wild West Hall", Josiah played his Violin while Alonzo "Lonnie" called the changes for the quadrilles. While in Boise, they hunted deer, elk and bear selling them for one dollar a pound. 

Source: 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Gold_Rush_Miners%27_Ball.gif

Here is some information on Gold Rush mining camp Quadrilles:

https://www.arthurchandler.com/gold-rush-dancing#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20the%20dance%20is%20announced,on%20their%20harps%20and%20violins.%E2%80%9D

I am still searching for any mining claims Josiah may have discovered in Idaho.

The Spring of 1865, Josiah and Alonzo left Boise and traveled onward to Helena, Montana. In Montana they excelled in large game hunting and prospecting. 

Once in Montana, the first pay dirt was discovered at Mitchell's Gulch, near Helena on June 12, 1865, by J. J. Doyle, who was associated with J. F. Mitchell.  Mr. Mitchell was at Helena the day it was discovered, but being the older man Doyle named the place in his honor. 

Helena Montana 1865.

https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/73705?keywords=1865&type=all&highlights=WyIxODY1Il0%3D

Prospecting during 1865 proved fruitful after much work, as Josiah struck gold and named this claim the "Delphine" after his daughter. They continued to work placer mines through 1865 and 1866 in areas surrounding Mitchell Gulch and Prickly Pear. I was able to locate many claims and deeds in Montana associated with Josiah and his son. I have listed those below.

J.F. Mitchell is not to be confused as part of Dr. Armistead Mitchell's family. Armistead was also a miner in the parts known for the town of Garnet. Google's A.I wants to mesh Mitchell Gulch into Armistead's town of Garnet. The town of Garnet was by First Chance Gulch, 2 hours from Mitchell Gulch. 

First pay dirt at MITCHELL GULCH

Source: from the book, History of Montana: 1739-1885, by M. A. Leeson, published in 1885; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org).

Prickly Pear Canyon in Lewis & Clark Co, Montana

https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/98227?keywords=Prickly&type=all&highlights=WyJwcmlja2x5Il0%3D

Map of the territory of Montana with portions of the adjoining territories: showing the gulch or placer diggings actually worked and districts where quartz gold & silver lodges have been discovered to January 1st. 

[St. Louis, Mo: Jul. Hutawa, lithr, 1865] Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2006629609/>.

Helena is the red dot. 12 miles from Mitchell Gulch area.

Mouth of Prickly Pear Canyon

https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/117683?keywords=prickly+pear&type=all&highlights=WyJwZWFyIiwicHJpY2tseSJd

Prickley Pear Creek Flume at Anderson Siphon showing tree covered hillside, Jefferson County, Montana. 

https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/98323?keywords=placer&type=all&highlights=WyJwbGFjZXIiXQ%3D%3D

"Si Mitchell" is Josiah F Mitchell

I did a quick scan on google for the "New York" city near Helena Montana and found a "New York Gulch" or currently referred to as "York Gulch". I would imagine a small town could have popped up that is now a ghost town.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, MONTANA LODE BOOKS

listing claims by J.F. Mitchell and Son A.W. Mitchell

I am going to list all the quartz loads claimed by J.F. Mitchell and his son A.W. Mitchell in Montana. To save time on listing citations under each, you can view these lodes in the 1865 lode books on Family Search, link provided below. You can scroll through each page of the lode books.

Citation

"Jefferson, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-2STL-9?view=explore : Aug 21, 2025), image 1 of 117; . Image Group Number: 008318442

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-2STL-9?view=explore&keywords=J%20F%20Mitchell&lang=en&groupId=M9M4-11M

I am only placing a couple of photos from the lode books as more photos would make this blog extremely long, however, I have typed out each lode, it's location and men associated with it in the list below:

CHARLOTTE M LODE: named after Josiah F Mitchell's wife. Lode situated in Tuckers Gulch District then Edgerton County, MT now Lewis & Clark County, MT. Discovered 17th Day of June 1865 by J.F. Mitchell 200 feet of said lode for my right of discover, as follows, 100 feet each way from discovery hole. The persons whose names appear below claim by preemption the no. 8 claims set opposite their respective names on this lode as follows: EAST from (?): 1. Oscar Nye, 2. Geo Tucker, 3. H. Cline, 4. Geo Aldrich, 5. W. Schofield WEST from (?): 1. J. F. Mitchell, 2. A. W. Mitchell, 3. James Fellows, 4. Moses Mitchell (Unsure who this man is), 5. J. C. Rector - Registered July 1, 1865 at 8 am.

Citation "Lewis and Clark, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-MSJ1-N?view=explore : Aug 22, 2025), image 146 of 502; . Image Group Number: 008318273

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-MSJ1-N?view=explore&keywords=Charlotte%20M%2CMontana%2CLode&lang=en&groupId=M9NM-HTG

INGALS LODE: Discovered September 18, 1865 by J. F. Mitchell, claims the NE 1/2 of discovering claim and Thomas (?) Lowery claims the SW 1/2 of discovering claim. Said lode is located on the East side of Mitchell Gulch and 200 feet there from. The following named persons claim the hundred feet each by (?) bring their number set forth their (?) names and the (?) set above their numbers Oct. 5th, 1865. NE 1. J.F. Mitchell, 2. A.W. Mitchell, 3. John P(?), 4. Riddle Reeves, 5. John C Rector SW 1. Thomas (?) Lowery, 2. H.M. Hill, 3. H.N. Barber, 4. E.W. Gifford, 5. C.P. Robinson

DECORAH LODE: Discovered Sept 20th, 1865 by J.F. Mitchell who claiming the NE 1/2 of the discovery claim and Thomas (?) Lowery who claims the SW 1/2 of discovery claim said lode is located on the North side of Mitchell Gulch, and 150 feet then from. The following named person claim 250 feet each by (?) being the number set before their respective names and the course set above their numbers Oct. 5th 1865. NE 1. J.F. Mitchell, 2. A.W. Mitchell, 3. John P(?), 4. Riddle Reeves, 5. John C Rector SW 1. Thomas (?) Lowery, 2. H.M. Hill, 3. H.N. Barber, 4. E.W. Gifford, 5. C.P. Robinson

M M MOON LODE: Discovered May 25, 1865 by J.F. Mitchell who claims 200 feet as discovery claim said lode is situated in Prickly Pear District June 8th 1865. EAST 1. John Branden, 2. H. Axman & J. Kellough, 3. J.W. Cobb, 4. Hery Cline, 5. J.C. Rector WEST 23@ 1. J.F. Mitchell, 2. (?) , Oscar Nye, 3. JW Lish Len Malor ( two men or is it JW Lishlen Malor?), 4. Geo Aldrich, 5. L. Merrimen

LITTLE JIM LODE: Discovered May 23rd, 1865 by J.F. Mitchell who claims 200 feet as discovery claim said lode is situated in Prickley Pear (spelled Prickley in document not Prickly) District June 8th, 1865. EAST 1. A.W. Mitchell, 2. Moses Hemingway, 3. Emma J. Freeborn, 4. John C. Reggs, 5. Walter Schofield WEST 24 @ 1. J.F. Mitchell, 2. H. Axman & J. Kellough, 3. Geo Aldrich, 4. Henry Cline, 5. John C. Rector

_______________________________

LODES J.F. Mitchell & his son, A.W. Mitchell either discovered or were listed as part of claim, 

in no particular order:

Lodes in Jefferson County, MT

1. WAVERLY LODE: May 29, 1865 discovered by WM Clancy & N.L Turner. East course: J.F. Mitchell. 2 Miles north of Lump Gulch and 1 mile eastward of Paines Attraction Gulch.

2. IRON CLAD LODE: May 18, 1865, discovered by J.F. Mitchell 200 feet by Prickly Pear. NE course: J.F. Mitchell, SW course A.W. Mitchell.

3. WAR EAGLE LODE: May 20, 1865, discovered by J.F. Mitchell. 200 feet, Prickly Pear District. 

4. M. M. MOON LODE: listed above with photo from lode book.

5. LITTLE JIM LODE: Listed above with photo from lode book. 

6. GEN(?) GILMAN LODE: Listed above with photo from lode book. 

7. HENRY CLAY LODE: May 27, 1865 discovered by Henry Axman & John Kilbough. Prickly Pear district 1/2 mile west of Montana City. - NE course claimed by J.F. Mitchell. 

8. CROW CREEK LODE: June 28, 1865 - 5 miles north of Crow Creek just 8 miles west of the Missouri River, mentions a SW course claim for a "Mitchell & Brook". Could Josiah have been this Mitchell?

9. COTTON WOOD LODE: June 28, 1865 - 6 miles north of Crow Creek, 4 miles from Missouri River. In men's names who claim NE course: "Mitchell & Brick" 

10. MITCHELL LODE: Lode information found in a Deed dated Sep 19, 1866. Deed between J.F. Mitchell of the county of Edgerton state of Montana of the first part and Zerach or Yerach French of the second part. Quit Claim Deed selling to Mr. French. Quartz mining property described as: The East of 1/2 Claim number four, east from the discovery of the Mitchell Lode, situated in the Mitchell Quartz Mining District, in Jefferson county Montana, area containing 100 feet. Also the East 1/2 claim number two, on the Murdoch Lode situate in Mitchell Gulch District. 

Citation: "Jefferson, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37F-JC5V?view=explore : Aug 21, 2025), image 248 of 317; . Image Group Number: 008580692

Link to deed: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37F-JC5V?view=explore&keywords=Mitchell%2CF%2CJ%2CMitchell%20Gulch%2CUnited%20States%2CMontana&lang=en&groupId=M9MD-YSN

11. NEW OREGON LODE: Named after the town in Iowa they had lived in: Lode information found in Deed. Oct 10, 1865. Deed citation: "Jefferson, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37F-JZ4K?view=explore : Aug 21, 2025), image 48 of 93; . Image Group Number: 008580692

Link to Deed: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37F-JZ4K?view=explore&keywords=Mitchell%2CF%2CJ%2CUnited%20States%2CMontana%2CGulch&lang=en&groupId=M9MD-YSX

12. INGALS LODE: Named for his wife's family. 

13. CHARLOTTE M LODE: Discovered in Tucker Gulch District then Edgerton Co, MT, current day Lewis & Clark Co, MT by J.F. Mitchell. Named lode after his wife. June 17, 1865. 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-MSJ1-N?view=explore&keywords=Charlotte%20M%2CMontana%2CLode&lang=en&groupId=M9NM-HTG

___________________________________

THE FOLLOWING LODES BELOW ARE named in ON ONE DEED as locations of claims of Josiah F. Mitchell, his wife Charlotte M Mitchell and son Alonzo W. Mitchell - Jefferson County, Edgerton County (Lewis & Clark co) and Meagher County all Montana

Citation"Jefferson, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRB-13DL-Z?view=explore : Aug 22, 2025), image 30 of 169; . Image Group Number: 008318467 Link:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRB-13DG-F?view=fullText&keywords=Charlotte%20M%2CMontana%2CLode&lang=en&groupId=M9M4-116

14. GRANITE MOUNTAIN LODE: Claim No 5 on the "Great Western".

15. DINSDALE LODE

16. MARSHALL LODE

17. (SABBETH?) BELL LODE

18. U.S. GRANT LODE

20.  A. M COWAN OR GOWAN LODE

21. ROSE (QUEEN?) LODE

22. J. F MITCHELL LODE: Named after himself. 12,000 feet. 

23. SQUARE & COMPASS LODE

24. ALODI LODE

25. YOUNG MOUNTAIN LODE

26. MURDOCH LODE

27.  HIBERNA LODE

28.  VAN DYKE LODE

29. REGAL LODE

30.  HOWARD LODE

31. DELPHINE LODE 

32. SUN SET LODE

33. BLACKSACH LODE

34. WINFIELD LODE

_______________________________

Lodes in Lewis & Clark County, Montana and Meager Co, MT:

1. CHICO LODE: May 7th 1866, Trout District and 1/2 mile NW of the mouth of the New York Gulch, Meagher County, Montana, J.F. Mitchell claims S. 1/2 of discovery 100 feet. 

2. AMERICAN BANNER LODE: Trout district, 3 or 400 feet easterly from the "Howe Ticket Lode" or "Howe Licket Lode" ? Meager county, MT. J.F. Mitchell claims 200 FT Westerly 7.

3. S.M. HIBBARD LODE: May 7, 1866, Trout district, 2 miles NW of New York Gulch, Meager Co, MT. J.F. Mitchell claims West 1/2 discovery, 100 ft, another part of document says 200 ft and A.W. Mitchell 200 Ft in West.

4.  GEORGE LAW LODE: May 18, 1866, 4 p.m. (Time was listed) Trout district, one mile north of the mouth of the New York Gulch, J.F. Mitchell 200 feet East, A.W. Mitchell 200 feet East. 

5. HATTIE MARTIN LODE: May 18, 1866, Trout district, East side of Hunters Gulch, one miles from Trout Creek, Meager co, MT.,  J.F. Mitchell Westerly 200 ft, A.W. Mitchell also 200 Ft Westerly. 

6. NOON DAY LODE: May 18, 1866 at 4 p.m. Trout district crossing Hunters Gulch, one half mile from Trout Creek, J.F. Mitchell East 1/2 200 Feet discovery, A.W. Mitchell also East 200 ft. 

7. RECTOR LODE: May 13, 1866, Trout District, East side of Hunters Gulch, 1/2 mile from Trout Creek, Meager Co, MT., J.F. Mitchell East 200 ft and A.W. Mitchell 200 Ft East.

8. ANTELOPE LODE: May 18, 1866. Trout District, 1 mile north of New York Gulch, Meager co, MT. J. F. Mitchell West 1/2 200 ft. 

9. ORA PURA LODE: May 18, 1866, Trout District near Trout Creek, 25 rods west of Excelsior Lode. J.F. Mitchell West 1/2 Discovery 200 ft.

10. DOUGLAS LODE: July 12, 1866 at 4 p.m.. Located in Cave Gulch District, at the head and at the south side of Cave Gulch, Meagher co, MT. - J.F Mitchell SW Course 200 ft. 

I will update this list as I find more. 

Charlotte (Ingalls) Mitchell, wife of Josiah Fuller Mitchell, in this photo she is wearing gold jewelry made from gold Josiah mined. Source: family album.

The Times-Plain Dealer

Cresco, Iowa · Friday, November 16, 1866 pg 3

In 1866 Josiah had lost his 11 year daughter Roxa to disease. That same year he returned home.

4 PAGE MONTANA Land Deed. 

Josiah F. Mitchell, Charlotte M. Mitchell and Alonzo W. Mitchell are selling several claims to a Solomon Turck on May 1st 1867 for $2000.00. Below these pages I have transcribed what they say.

Citation: "Jefferson, Montana, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSRB-13DG-F?view=explore : Aug 25, 2025), image 29 of 169; . Image Group Number: 008318467

DEED TRANSCRIBED

I am typing it how it is written.

 

Know all men by these present that we Alonzo W. Mitchell, his guardian Josiah F. Mitchell and Charlotte M. Mitchell his wife of Howard County state of Iowa parties of the first part in consideration of the sum of two thousand dollars to them in hand by Solomon Turck of the County of Dubuque in the state of Iowa party of the second part do hereby sell and convey to the said Solomon Turck and to his heirs and assigned forever the described Premises to wit:

Claim No 5 in the "Great Western," South West from discovery. Containing Two Hundred feet, also East half of discovery on "Granite Mountain," also No one East on said "Granite Mountain" lode, also West half of claim number two North east from discovery on said "Granite Mountain" Containing in all on Granite Mountain four hundred feet.

Also discovery claims and claim no one East and claim no two West from discovery of "Charlotte M. lode" Containing in all on Charlotte M. lode 600 feet.

Also claim No two East from discovery on the Dinsdale lode containing two hundred feet Also claim No one, East. Also claim No four West, on the Marshall lode, Containing four hundred feet. Also discovery claim on the Hope lode and also No one and two West on said lode containing in all six hundred feet there on.

Also claim No one N.E. on the Sabbeth Bell lode, containing all thereon 200 feet all of the above and being in the county of Edgerton in the Territory of Montana.

Also one half of discovery claim and No one South on the Chico lode, Also No four West on the U.S. Grant lode, Containing two hundred feet, Also half of discovery and No one West and No two West on the Hattie Martin lode containing five hundred feet Also half of discovery and No one East and No two East, of discovery containing five hundred feet on the George Law lode. Also half of discovery and No two East on the Noonday lode, containing thru five hundred feet.

Also half of discovery and Nos one and two East on the Rector lode containing five hundred feet. 

Also West half of discovery, and No one West on the Antelope lode containing three hundred feet Also the West half of No two West on the S.M. Hibbard lode containing one hundred feet. All in Meagher County Montana Territory.

Also discovery claim and No one, two and four South West in the A.M. Gowan (Cowan?) lode, North East from discovery, containing sixteen hundred feet. 

Also discovery claim and claim No one and two North west on the Rose Queen lode containing six hundred feet, Also discovery claim and claim one, two, three and four South West, and also claim one and five North East of discovery on the J.F. Mitchell lode, containing twelve hundred feet, Also half the discovery and No one South West, also No three, four and five North East on the Delphine lode, containing nine hundred feet, also one half of discovery and No one South West, also No three, four and five North East on the Square & Compass lode containing nine hundred feet, Also discovery claim and No one South West and Nos two, three, four and five North East of discovery on Schellenger lode containing twelve hundred feet.

Also half of discovery and No one North East also two, three, four and five North East on the Decorah lode containing eleven hundred feet.

Also one half of discovery , and Nos one and two North East from discovery on the Alodi lode containing five hundred feet Also half of discovery, and Nos one, two, three, four and five on the Young Mountain lode, North East, containing eleven hundred feet. 

Also discovery claim and Nos one, three, four and five West on the Murdoch lode Also on the Murdoch lode one, two, three, four and five East containing two thousand feet.

Also one, two, three, four and five North East on the Hiberna lode, containing one thousand feet. 

Also No two North East on the Henry Clay lode, containing two hundred feet Also No three East on the Waverly lode containing two hundred feet

Also claim No two East on the John Van Dyke lode. Containing two hundred feet.  Also half of discovery and Nos one and two South West from discovery on the New Oregon lode containing 500 feet

Also half of discovery and Nos one and two North East on the Regal lode containing five hundred feet. Also half of discovery, and Nos one, two, three four and five North East on the Ingles lode containing Containing eleven hundred feet

Also claim Nos three and four North East from discovery on the Regal lode containing four hundred feet Also claim No five South West on the Schellenger lode containing two hundred feet, Also claim No 5 South West on the A.M. Gowan (Cowan?) lode containing two hundred feet, Also claim No 5 West containing two hundred feet on the Holmes lode, Also claim No 5 West on the J.F. Mitchell containing two hundred feet, Also claim Nos one, two, three and five on the Schellenger North East containing eight hundred feet, Also discovery claim on the Blacksach lode containing two hundred feet, Also discovery claim on the Sun Set lode containing two hundred feet, Also the East half of discovery claim on the Howard lode containing one hundred feet, Also discovery claim on the Winfield containing two hundred feet, Also the undivided half of discovery claim on the Antelope, containing one hundred feet, Also the South West 3/4 of claim No one East on the Antelope containing one hundred and fifty feet, Also the undivided one half of claim No three East on the Antelope, containing one hundred feet, Also discovery claim and No four South West on the Iron Clad lode, containing four hundred feet, Also the undivided half of the discovery claim on the War Eagle lode, containing one hundred feet, Also discovery claim and claim No one West on the M.M. Moon lode, containing four hundred feet, Also discovery claim and No one West and No one East  on the little Jim lode containing five hundred feet, Also claim No two South West on the Jenny (Smid?) lode containing two hundred feet.

To have to hold with (---?) all the easements (---?) there to appertaining forever.

And we do hereby expressly agree and stipulate with the said Soloman Turck that we are lawfully seized of said premises as of a lawful inheritance (---?) (---?) simple that they are free from encumbrance, that we hereby covenant to Warrant and defend the same against the claims of all persons whomsoever, This conveyance however to be absolutely void upon condition that the said Josiah F. Mitchell shall pay or cause to be paid to the said Soloman Turck the sum of two thousand dollars as evidenced by his promissory note executed this first day of May 1867, and due in one year from date with interest at ten percent title paid, otherwise to be (---?) remain in full force. 

Signed the first day of May A.D. 1867

In presence of W.R Mead. 

U.S Tax stamp Cancelled $2

(Signed by ) A.W. Mitchell by his Guardian J. F. Mitchell, Charlotte M Mitchell

---------

State of Iowa

Howard County     S.S.

On this first day of May 1867 before me a Notary Public In and for said county Personally came Alonzo W. Mitchell by Josiah F. Mitchell his guardian. Josiah F. Mitchell His wife Charlotte M. Mitchell all well and known to me to be the identical persons, named and mentioned in the foregoing mortgage and the said Alonzo W. Mitchell by his guardian Josiah F. Mitchell on his own act and deed, and as the act and deed of his principal, Alonzo W. Mitchell acknowledged the same and the execution thereof to be his and then voluntary act and deed. And the said Charlotte M. Mitchell on a private examination separate and apart from her said husband acknowledged the execution of the same as without compulsion or undue influence from her said husband. Within my hand & seal the day and year above.

W.R Mead

(seal) Notary Public 

State of Iowa Howard County - Office of County Judge Howard Co, Iowa

-----------------

https://www.newspapers.com/image/76709350/?match=1&terms=%22J%20F%20Mitchell%22

According to Annie: 

" In 1868, Josiah went to Chicago, Ill. where he sold and traded a great deal of his stock. He also purchased a stock of merchandise with which he opened a store in Cresco, Iowa" ( a mile and a half from New Oregon.) "There he took Lonnie into partnership with him. He ran the store only for a year and a half then moved it and his family back to New Oregon. In 1869, he sold out what was left and closed the store for all time. It had decidedly been a case of poor management aided by extreme leniency that caused the failure. Josiah said in defense of his poor management "These are desperate times and how can I refuse 'Trust' to the returning soldiers who gave their all. I gave no son to the war but as long as I can hold out I will give to the sons who served. My son was a sickly, undersized boy at sixteen but three years in the Rockies, with their health producing properties as well as hardships mixed with the joy of adventure and surroundings incomparable, I have brought him home a strong and industrious young man. For that I owe a debt of great gratitude."

Council Bluffs Evening Bugle
Council Bluffs, Iowa · Friday, November 12, 1869

Photo taken from Google Maps of Mitchell Gulch Road near Helena, Montana 2025

A view from Google Maps from the area surrounding Mitchell Gulch Montana.

I hope you enjoyed today's blog about my 3rd & 4th Great Grandfathers.
Feel free to peruse my other blog pages.
Sunny :)