Robert Gwyn Mitchell and Lena Bell Carhart

Born 19 Oct. 1852 in Monroe Co. MO, Robert Gwyn MITCHELL was the 3rd son and
fourth child of James Bourne MITCHELL and Martha Cowden DYSART. James Bourne
was 31 and Martha was 27 at the time of Robert Gwyn’s birth.

On 5 August 1891, in Macon Co., MO., Robert Gwyn, 38, married Lena Bell
Carhart who was 18 years his junior, born 22 March 1871 in Macon Co., MO. to
Elliot CARHART and Margaret PETTIT.

Robert, a lawyer, who is described as “having been called by the government to
break trusts” and a sunday school teacher, died 6 March 1909 in St. Louis, MO.
at the age of 56, his youngest son only being a year old.

Lena, though only 38 at the time of Robert’s death, never remarried. She died
26 Nov. 1957 at Baldwin KS., age 86.

Most likely is an error here but I find it curious that the April 4th 1910
census gives Lena as married, rather than widowed. For she would have been
widowed nearly a year. And all other information is correct.

Robert MITCHELL is given as having died in St. Louis MO. Saturday 6 March
1909.

Robert and Lena had 7 children, 6 of whom reached adulthood:

1.) Margaret Gwynette MITCHELL b. 11 Oct 1892. (Robert was 39 and Lena was 21.)
Married Warner B. HAGAN 8 April 1917 when she was about 25 and he was about 26.
Margaret died 20 Dec. 1933 at about the age of 41. Warner, born 21 June 1891,
died 19 Feb. 1954 at about 63.

2.) Robert C. MITCHELL b. 9 March 1895 in Macon, Macon Co. MO. 22 March 1871
(Robert was 42 and Lena was 23). Married 15 June 1925, Katherine ZEISNEIS. He
was about 30 and she about 29. Robert died in Sarasota FL., 28 May 1966 at
about 71. Katherine, b. 7 May 1896, died 2 Feb. 1980 at about 84. Read a
newspaper mention of Robert’s Honorable Discharge in the history section.

3.) James Dysart MITCHELL b. April 27 1897 at Macon, Macon Co. MO., died 6 Jan.
1900. James Dysart’s obituary is in the history section.

4.) John Carhart MITCHELL b. 9 Dec. 1901 at Macon, Macon Co. MO. (Robert was 48
and Lena was 30). John married Aileen WOODBURY on 1 June 1929. He was about 28
and she about 26.

5.) Dorothy MITCHELL b. 18 Oct. 1903 at Macon Co. MO. (Robert was 50 and Lena
was 32), married Albert Harry MCCLURE b. 25 Oct. 1900, Utica, Minnesotta.

6.) Lawrence Carhart MITCHELL b. 23 April 1906 at Macon, Macon Co. MO. (Robert
was 53 and Lena was 35), married Eleanor GOODSON on 11 May 1935. He was about
29. Lawrence died 7 Jan 1980 at Syracuse, Onondaga NY at about 74. Eleanor died
29 Oct. 1956.

7.) Benjamin Dysart MITCHELL b. 29 July 1908 at Macon Co. MO. (Robert was 55
and Lena was 37), married Helen OJALA, 25 Nov. 1937. He was about 29. Benjamin
died 26 August 1991, at about 83, in Duluth, Minn.

* * * * * *

Bench and Bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City and other Missouri
Cities. Biographical Sketches. St. Louis and Chicago, Americal Biographical
Publishing Company, 1884.

Robert G. MITCHELL
Macon

Robert Swyn Mitchell of the firm of Dysart and Mitchell, is a son of James B.
and Martha C. (Dysart) Mitchell, and dates his birth in Monroe County,
Missouri, October 19, 1952. His father is a Cumberland Presbyeterian minister,
born in Virginia, and his mother is a native of this state, and a sister of
Benjamin R. Dysart, one of the leading lawyers in Macon county, and mentioned
in preceeding pages of this work. The family came to Macon county in 1853,
before Robert was a yrear old, and his father was president of McGee College
for many years, being now pastor at Kirksville.

The subject of this notice farmed until seventeen years old, attending school
during the winter terms, and then took a classical course in McGee College,
Macon County, and was graduated in 1874. Afterward he taught three years in
Chariton and Macon counties, making quite a success as an educator. He read
law with his uncle, Mr. Dysart, already mentioned; was invited to the bar in
1989 and since August of that year has been of the firm of Dysart and Mitchell,
his partner being his preceptor. He was county school commissioner for four
years, his term expiring in April 1883.

Mr. Mitchell is not only talented, but for a young man possesses a high degree
of culture. He is thoroughly devoted to his profession, diligent in his
studies, as well as in his practice, eminently reliable and trustworthy, and is
a rising young man. He holds a membership in the Cumberland Presbyeterian
Church, and is living a life consistent with his Christian profession.


Husband: Robert Gwyn + Mitchell (1)


Born: 1852 Oct 19 – , Monroe, Missouri
Christened:
Died: 1909 Mar 6 – St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri (1)
Cause of Death: Heart attack (Dorothy Mitchell source)
Buried: – Oakwood Cemetery, Macon, Macon, Missouri
Father: Rev. James Bourne + Mitchell (1821-1901) (2)
Mother: Martha Cowden + Dysart (1825-1912)
Marriage: 1891 Aug 5 Place: , Macon, Missouri (1)


Events


1. Occupation: Attorney.

2. Census: 1870 Chariton, Macon, Missouri. (3) Image Source: Year: 1870;

Census Place: Chariton, Macon, Missouri; Roll: M593_790; Page: 58; Image:
116.
9/9 MITCHELL James B. 59 President College $3000 $3000 b. VA
Martha 45 b. MO
John L. 22
Susan A. 21
James W. 19
Robert D. 17
Louisa C. 13
Orpha B. 13
Bettie S. 11
Leonidas S. 8 b. IL
Orlando W. 5 b. MO
Mary L. 2

3. Census: 1880 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (4)

1880 CENSUS
Household:
Robert G. MITCHELL Self S Male W 28 MO Co. School Com &
Atty. VA MO
Sam’l. F. TRAMMELL Other S Male W 25 MO Grocer MO MO
Source Information:
Census Place Macon City, Macon, Missouri
Family History Library Film 1254701
NA Film Number T9-0701
Page Number 389B

4. Census: 1900 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (5)

1900 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
pg. 125a
Rutherford St.
43/43
MITCHELL Robt. G. b. Oct. 1852/53? 47 yoa married 8 years b. MO., Father
b. VA. Mother b. Missouri atty at law
Lena Bell b. March 1878 28 2 children, 2 surviving b. MO father b. NY
Mother b. OH
Margaret B. Oct. 1892 7 b. MO., in school
Robt. C. March 1895 5 b. MO
Next door was a John A. TURNER, also an atty at law. And in the next
house, pg. 125b is Elliot CARHART.
45/45
CARHART Elliot March 1828 72 married 49 ys. NY Father b. NY mother b.
Conn. carpenter
Margaret b. Jan. 1830 70 7 children with 6 surviving b. OH, father b.
Delaware, mother b. VA
Ida M. b. April 1852 48 OH teacher in high school
Rosa b. 1869 31 MO teacher
Edith b. 1873 26 MO teacher
Next door lived John ERWIN a shoemaker born in Ohio, and Ace ERWIN and
family, a barber.

5. Note: Robert Gwyn Mitchell’s Prize-winning Essay. THE PRIZE WINNER ESSAY THAT WON THE D. A. R. PRIZE WRITTEN BY ROBT. G. MITCHELL, Condition and influence of Our Navy During the War of the American


Wife: Lena Bell + Carhart (1)


AKA: Lena Mitchell
Born: 1871 Mar 22 – , Macon, Missouri
Christened:
Died: 1957 Nov 26 – Baldwin City, Douglas, Kansas (1)
Buried: – Oakwood Cemetery, Macon, Macon, Missouri
Father: Elliot + Carhart (1828-1905) (6)
Mother: Margaret E. + Pettit (1830-1914)


Events


1. Census: 1880 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (4)

1880 Macon County, Missouri census, Macon City Township
Jaskiny Street?
121/129
CARHART Elliot 52 Carpenter b. NY Father b. Conn. Mother b. Conn.
Margaret 50 keeping house b. OH Father b. Del Mother b. MD
Ida M. 28 schoolteacher b. OH
Carrington 19 at school b. OH
Arthur S. 13 at school b. MO
Rosella 11 at home b. MO
Lena B. 9 b. MO
Editha A. 6 b. MO
To one side was a Charles HESSON (?) a lawyer born in Prussia, with wife
Carrie, and an Abner GILSTRAP, also a lawyer, with wife Julia. To the
other side lived a Reuben ELBURMAN (?) with wife Sarah, also a lawyer, a
Frances M. TAYLOR, an editor and printer, with wife Josephine, and a
Franklin AMES, also a lawyer.

2. Census: 1900 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (5)

1900 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
pg. 125a
Rutherford St.
43/43
MITCHELL Robt. G. b. Oct. 1852/53? 47 yoa married 8 years b. MO., Father
b. VA. Mother b. Missouri atty at law
Lena Bell b. March 1878 28 2 children, 2 surviving b. MO father b. NY
Mother b. OH
Margaret B. Oct. 1892 7 b. MO., in school
Robt. C. March 1895 5 b. MO
Next door was a John A. TURNER, also an atty at law. And in the next
house, pg. 125b is Elliot CARHART.
45/45
CARHART Elliot March 1828 72 married 49 ys. NY Father b. NY mother b.
Conn. carpenter
Margaret b. Jan. 1830 70 7 children with 6 surviving b. OH, father b.
Delaware, mother b. VA
Ida M. b. April 1852 48 OH teacher in high school
Rosa b. 1869 31 MO teacher
Edith b. 1873 26 MO teacher
Next door lived John ERWIN a shoemaker born in Ohio, and Ace ERWIN and
family, a barber.

3. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

4. Census: 1920 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (8)

1920 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Rutherford St.
1102/228/228
MITCHELL Lena B. 44 wd. b. MO
John C. 18 b. MO
Dorothy 16 b. MO
Lawrence C. 13 b. MO
Benjamin D. 11 b. MO
229/229
CARHART Ida 67 b. OH
Edith 46 b. MO music teacher
To one side lives Claude MOODY who’s given as a farmer and to the other
side is David JONES of Wales who is a coal miner. Lena has managed to
chop a few years off her age there, I see.

5. Census: 1930 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (9) 1930 MO, MACON CO., MACON,

DISTRICT 12
N. Rutherford
1102/104/115
MITCHELL Lena B. owns $5000 59 widowed b. MO father b. NY mother b. OH
Benjamin 21 b. MO parents b. MO
Laurence C. 28 Bondsman for Dysert and Yarnelle

6. She enjoyed Book club.


Children


1 F Margaret Gwynette Mitchell (10)
Born: 1892 Oct 11 – , Macon, Missouri (2)
Christened:
Died: 1933 Dec 20 – Wichita Falls, Wichita, Texas (10)
Buried:
Spouse: Warner B. Hagan (1891-1954)
Marr. Date: 1917 Apr 8 – Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri (10)
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Census: 1900 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (5)

1900 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
pg. 125a
Rutherford St.
43/43
MITCHELL Robt. G. b. Oct. 1852/53? 47 yoa married 8 years b. MO., Father
b. VA. Mother b. Missouri atty at law
Lena Bell b. March 1878 28 2 children, 2 surviving b. MO father b. NY
Mother b. OH
Margaret B. Oct. 1892 7 b. MO., in school
Robt. C. March 1895 5 b. MO
Next door was a John A. TURNER, also an atty at law. And in the next
house, pg. 125b is Elliot CARHART.
45/45
CARHART Elliot March 1828 72 married 49 ys. NY Father b. NY mother b.
Conn. carpenter
Margaret b. Jan. 1830 70 7 children with 6 surviving b. OH, father b.
Delaware, mother b. VA
Ida M. b. April 1852 48 OH teacher in high school
Rosa b. 1869 31 MO teacher
Edith b. 1873 26 MO teacher
Next door lived John ERWIN a shoemaker born in Ohio, and Ace ERWIN and
family, a barber.

2. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

3. Census: 1930 San Angelo, Green, Texas. (11)

1930 TX, TOM GREEN CO.,
SAN ANGELO, DISTRICT 10
1504(?)/253/281
HAGAN Warner B. rent $75 38 first married 24 b. MO father b. England
mother b. MO oil operator
Gwynette 37 first married 23 b. MO parents b. MO
Barbara 12 b. TX parents b. MO
Marion 7 b. OK parents b. MO

4. Note: Gwynette’s essay, 1910 Feb 2. THE ESSAY THAT WON THE PRIZE, Why the Americans were Victorious in the Revolution

5. Death: Death date disrepency. Also is given as Dec 30 1933.


2 M Robert Carhart Mitchell (10)
Born: 1895 Mar 9 – Macon, Macon, Missouri
Christened:
Died: 1966 May 28 – Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida (10)
Buried:
Spouse: Katherine Stuart Holloway (1896-1980)
Marr. Date: 1925 Jun 15 – , Jackson, Missouri (10)
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Census: 1900 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (5)

1900 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
pg. 125a
Rutherford St.
43/43
MITCHELL Robt. G. b. Oct. 1852/53? 47 yoa married 8 years b. MO., Father
b. VA. Mother b. Missouri atty at law
Lena Bell b. March 1878 28 2 children, 2 surviving b. MO father b. NY
Mother b. OH
Margaret B. Oct. 1892 7 b. MO., in school
Robt. C. March 1895 5 b. MO
Next door was a John A. TURNER, also an atty at law. And in the next
house, pg. 125b is Elliot CARHART.
45/45
CARHART Elliot March 1828 72 married 49 ys. NY Father b. NY mother b.
Conn. carpenter
Margaret b. Jan. 1830 70 7 children with 6 surviving b. OH, father b.
Delaware, mother b. VA
Ida M. b. April 1852 48 OH teacher in high school
Rosa b. 1869 31 MO teacher
Edith b. 1873 26 MO teacher
Next door lived John ERWIN a shoemaker born in Ohio, and Ace ERWIN and
family, a barber.

2. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

3. WWI Draft Registration: 1917-1918, Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri.
Name: Robert Carhart Mitchell
City: Kansas City
County: Jackson
State: Missouri
Birthplace: Missouri;United States of America
Birth Date: 9 Mar 1895
Race: Caucasian (White)
FHL Roll Number: 1683384
DraftBoard: »11

Living at 2618 Campbell KC Mo.

Eyes were blue and hair color a light brown.

4. Author: 1936. Methods of Studying Physical Characteristics of Crude
Oil Within the Reservoir
Published 1936 by the University of Kansas

5. Death: Discrepency. Also given as dying May 31 19566.


3 M James Dysart Mitchell
Born: 1897 Apr 27 – , Macon, Missouri
Christened:
Died: 1900 Jan 6 – , Macon, Missouri
Cause of Death: Dyptheria
Buried: – Oakwood Cemetery, Macon, Macon, Missouri
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Cause of death: Dyptheria.

2. James Dysart Mitchell Obituary. James Dysart Mitchell

Born April 27 1897, Died Jan 6. 1900.

James Dysart MITCHELL, the little 3 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Robt. G.
MITCHELL was taken suddenly ill Wednesday evening of last week with
dyptheria, and although all that medical aid and kind loving hands could
do was done for the little fellow,nothing could assuage his suffering,
and on Saturday morning at one o’clock he succumbed to the dread disease.
James Dysart was a bright, playful boy and he will be sadly missed by his
parents and little brother and sister, Robert and Gwynette. Yet with the
hope of the Christian they await the resurrection morn when they shall be
reunited in the Father’s house. A Scripture lesson and prayer was read at
the grave by Rev. R. T. CALDWELL.

Transcribed by JMK 2001


4 M John Carhart Mitchell (12)
Born: 1901 Dec 9 – Macon, Macon, Missouri (12)
Christened:
Died: 1989 Jun 4 (13)
Buried:
Spouse: Aileen W. Woodbury (1903- ) (10)
Marr. Date: 1929 Jun 1
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

2. Census: 1920 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (8)

1920 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Rutherford St.
1102/228/228
MITCHELL Lena B. 44 wd. b. MO
John C. 18 b. MO
Dorothy 16 b. MO
Lawrence C. 13 b. MO
Benjamin D. 11 b. MO
229/229
CARHART Ida 67 b. OH
Edith 46 b. MO music teacher
To one side lives Claude MOODY who’s given as a farmer and to the other
side is David JONES of Wales who is a coal miner. Lena has managed to
chop a few years off her age there, I see.

3. Census: 1930 Rochester, Monroe, New York. (14)

1930 NY, Monroe Co., Rochester, District 181
391 MIITCHELL, John C. rent $50 28 first married 27 b. MO parents b. MO
telephone and radio manufacturing engineer
Alleen W. 26 first married 25 b. KS father b. IL mother b. NY

4. Note: Newspaper article, undated

John MITCHELL, Richard MCKEE, Tom HARTMAN and George WILLIAMS returned
home Monday from Hannibal where they attended a Y. M. C. A. Convention
held at that place.

Transcribed by JMK 2001


5 F Dorothy M. Mitchell (1)
Born: 1903 Oct 18 – , Macon, Missouri
Christened:
Died: 2003 Dec 8 – Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Buried:
Spouse: Albert Harry + McClure (1900-1987) (1)
Marr. Date: 1927 Aug 14 – Chicago, Cook Co, Illinois
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

2. Census: 1920 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (8)

1920 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Rutherford St.
1102/228/228
MITCHELL Lena B. 44 wd. b. MO
John C. 18 b. MO
Dorothy 16 b. MO
Lawrence C. 13 b. MO
Benjamin D. 11 b. MO
229/229
CARHART Ida 67 b. OH
Edith 46 b. MO music teacher
To one side lives Claude MOODY who’s given as a farmer and to the other
side is David JONES of Wales who is a coal miner. Lena has managed to
chop a few years off her age there, I see.

3. Census: 1930 Chicago, Cook, Illinois. (15)

1930 Chicago Cook Co. IL
census
1919/123 MCCLURE Albert H. 62.50 rent 29 father b. NY mother b. VT
investment accountant
Dorothy M. 26 parents b. MO
Mary P. 1 6/12 b. father b. Minnesota mother b. MO


6 M Lawrence Carhart Mitchell (10)
Born: 1906 Apr 23 – Macon, Macon, Missouri (2)
Christened:
Died: 1980 Jan 7 – Syracuse, Onondaga, New York (13)
Buried:
Spouse: Eleanor Goodson (1910-1956) (10)
Marr. Date: 1935 May 11
Spouse: Lucia C. Halverson (1910- )
Marr. Date: 1958 Jun 10
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

2. Census: 1920 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (8)

1920 MISSOURI, MACON CO., MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Rutherford St.
1102/228/228
MITCHELL Lena B. 44 wd. b. MO
John C. 18 b. MO
Dorothy 16 b. MO
Lawrence C. 13 b. MO
Benjamin D. 11 b. MO
229/229
CARHART Ida 67 b. OH
Edith 46 b. MO music teacher
To one side lives Claude MOODY who’s given as a farmer and to the other
side is David JONES of Wales who is a coal miner. Lena has managed to
chop a few years off her age there, I see.

3. Census: 1930 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (9)

1930 MO, MACON CO., MACON, DISTRICT 12
N. Rutherford
1102/104/115
MITCHELL Lena B. owns $5000 59 widowed b. MO father b. NY mother b. OH
Benjamin 21 b. MO parents b. MO
Laurence C. 28 Bondsman for Dysert and Yarnelle


7 M Benjamin Dysart Mitchell (16)
Born: 1908 Jul 29 – Macon, Macon, Missouri (16)
Christened:
Died: 1991 Aug 26 – Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota (13)
Buried:
Spouse: Helen Ojala (1910- ) (10)
Marr. Date: 1937 Nov 25
Spouse:
Marr. Date:


Events


1. Census: 1910 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (7)

1910 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Jackson Street. 1148/95/99
CARHART Margaret E. 80 wd. b. OH father b. Del. Mother b. VA
Ida M. 56 b. OH watercolor artist
Edith A. 37 b. MO teaches music in school
On one side lives Charles ERWIN, a shoemaker, and on the other, Nathaniel
M. SHETTON, a circuit court judge.
Further down the page on N. Rutherford St., 1102/101/105
MITCHELL Lena 39, given as married, 7 children with 6 surviving b. MO
father b. NY mother b. OH
Gwynette 17 b. MO
Robert C. 14 b. MO
John C. 8 b.MO
Dorothy 6 b. MO
Lawrence C. 3 b. MO
Benjamin C. 1 and 8/12
To one side lives Floyd MATTHEWS, a lawyer. On the other side lives
Willard CLARK, no profession given. Next door to him is Ben FRANKLIN, a
lawyer.

2. Census: 1920 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (8)

1920 MISSOURI, MACON CO.,
MACON CITY, WARD ONE
Rutherford St.
1102/228/228
MITCHELL Lena B. 44 wd. b. MO
John C. 18 b. MO
Dorothy 16 b. MO
Lawrence C. 13 b. MO
Benjamin D. 11 b. MO
229/229
CARHART Ida 67 b. OH
Edith 46 b. MO music teacher
To one side lives Claude MOODY who’s given as a farmer and to the other
side is David JONES of Wales who is a coal miner. Lena has managed to
chop a few years off her age there, I see.

3. Census: 1930 Macon, Macon, Missouri. (9)

1930 MO, MACON CO., MACON,
DISTRICT 12
N. Rutherford
1102/104/115
MITCHELL Lena B. owns $5000 59 widowed b. MO father b. NY mother b. OH
Benjamin 21 b. MO parents b. MO
Laurence C. 28 Bondsman for Dysert and Yarnelle



General Notes: Wife – Lena Bell + Carhart


Source: http://www.mssdar.org/ahelm/history.htm

ANNIE HELM CHAPTER NSDAR
Organized October 20, 1908

HISTORY

Anne Helm Chapter was organized by a group of 23 patriotic women on October 20,
1908, in Macon, Missouri

Charter Members were: Louisa William Brock, Maude Dysart Brock, Ethel Coulter
Brown, Mary Craddock Doneghy, Kate Campbell Doneghy, Martha Prewitt Doneghy,
Carrie Stewart Duffy, Emma Turner Dysart, Susie Mitchell Guthrie, Mattie
Blincoe Howe, Hettie Coulter Lamb, Martha Gilstrap Matthews, Mary Anderson
Matthews, Corrine Matthews, Lena Carhart Mitchell, Lena Trowbridge Payson,
Emily Pipkin Simmons, Amy Simmons, Lucy Simmons, Mary Van Cleve, Hallie
Wilkinson Wardell, Stella Turner Wilson, and Elizabeth Stickney Wilson.

The name Anne Helm was chosen in honor of Mrs. John T. Doneghy’s great-great
grandmother who assisted and sacrificed members of her family for the cause of
the Revolutionary War.

The Macon Public Library was founded on March 23, 1912, with Miss Sarah
Larrabee as librarian. It was located in the Howe Building opposite of the
Jefferson Hotel. DAR members raised funds by having “Tap Day” and several
“Macon County Banquets.” The response to the library was so great that it soon
became too large for the Howe Store. The library moved several times until, in
1915, the trustees voted to build a permanent library. The Anne Helm Chapter
purchased the lot on the corner of Rutherford and Butler where the present
library building is located.
The Anne Helm Chapter was instrumental in forming the first Red Cross Chapter
in Macon and helped to raise funds to sponsor Herbert English, a volunteer for
ambulance service in France during W.W.I.

On November 11, 1934, a bronze plaque was unveiled at the Macon County Court
House to honor four Revolutionary Soldiers who are buried in Macon County. They
are James Howell, James Lynch, Bennett Tilley, and Nicholas Tuttle.


Sources

1. McClure family record.
2. Michell E. Noll.
3. Missouri, Macon County, 1870 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
4. Missouri, Macon County, 1880 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
5. Missouri, Macon County, 1900 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
6. Carhart family record.
7. Missouri, Macon County, 1910 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
8. Missouri, Macon County, 1920 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
9. Missouri, Macon County, 1930 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
10. Mitchell family record.
11. Texas, Green County, 1930 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
12. Mitchell family record. …. Michell E. Noll.
13. SSDI.
14. New York, Monroe County, 1930 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
15. Illinois, Cook County, 1930 U.S. Population Schedule (Images at
Ancestry.com).
16. Michell E. Noll. …. Mitchell family record.

James Bourne Mitchell and Family

Dorothy Mitchell McClure gave this to me when I was young. I didn’t make a note who had written it and am unsure who it was. Dorothy added that the below mentioned Missouri Valley College was her Alma Mater.

* * * * *

James Bourne Mitchell and family

by a descendant of J. B. Mitchell

James B. Mitchell was born 27 June 1821, died March 12, 1901. He was the grandson of Robert Craig–son of John Mitchell and Ann Middleton Craig.

Martha C. Dysart, born 5 March 1825–died February 19, 1912.

To the descendants of Dr. J. B. Mitchell and Martha Cowden Dysart Mitchell, his wife, you should have some background of the Mitchell family of Donegal Co., Ireland. A captain in the English Merchant Marine and father of our grandfather, J. B. Mitchell, established the Mitchell family in the United States. Our grandfather told Orlando Mitchell that his father had crossed the Atlantic seventeen times. The last time he had a young lady passenger who was coming across to visit her brother in Abingdon, VA. My great-grandfather, John Mitchell, fell in love with her, quit the ocean, and followed her to Abingdon where he married her–Miss Elizabeth King–on the 14th of May, 1794. Elizabeth King Mitchell died the 13th of May, 1806.

On the 16th of July, 1908, John Mitchell married Nancy Middleton Craig, my great-grandmother, and from this union J.B. Mitchell, my grandfather, was the youngest child, having been born June 27th, 1821. His father passed away in August of the same year. The family lived upon a farm near Abingdon, where they remained until they came to Missouri in 1836. It was in 1836 that J.B. Mitchell wrote he was converted but did not join the church until 1839. All this time, he felt the Lord was calling him to enter the ministry. In 1841, he was taken under the care of Presbytery in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1845 he was ordained and became pastor of Bethel Church in Monroe County, Missouri. He was married to Martha Cowden Dysart in 1846.

He was called to the presidency of McGee College in 1853 and was its president until it closed in 1874. He then became pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kirksville, Mo., which he served until health forced him to retire. His death was March 12th, 1901. His life was a full one. He had a standing order with a publishing company to send him all the new outstanding books. All who knew him say he was a great educator, administrator and had a great personality, beloved by all. In other words, he was a leader in the cultural life of his time. He served as moderator of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the highest office that his church could bestow.

He was also thought of in Masonic Circles as you will see from the following quotation from citation from the most worshipful Masters of Missouri: “Most Worshipful Marcus Boyd, Esq. 1858; Marcus H. McFarland, Esq. 1860; W. R. Penik, Esquire, 1861; Grand Masters of Masons of Missouri in above years, having confidence in the moral worth and Masonic skill of Rt. W. Rev. James B. Mitchell do hereby constitute and appoint him D.D. Grand Master for the 8th Masonic District composed of the Counties Macon, Randolph and Howard.” (All signed by) A. C., Sullivan, Grand Secretary.

He was saddened when McGee College was forced to close for lack of money, for he felt the need of Christian Education for the Youth of the Land. The leaders in the church felt the same need and went to work to establish a school with an endowment that could be relied upon for part of its expense. With all their work, they could not get the job done so they called up J. B. Mitchell to accomplish what the rest had failed to do. Dr. J.B. Mitchell made the drive, giving 200 days of his time to this effort without remuneration and was successful. Missouri Valley College was a dream come true. As Dr. Black, first president of Missouri Valley College said, “Without the devoted spirit and unselfish work of Dr. Mitchell, Missouri Valley College would never have had an existence. Dr. Mitchell and his wife still live. They live, to be sure, in the work of their five sons and five daughters, worthy children all. They live in grandchildren and they liven in Missouri Valley College, which is the flowering of the seed that they planted and a revitalization of abiding hopes.”

Dr. J.B. Mitchell’s family, and all the kin I have been privileged to visit from Abingdon, Virginia, on out west, have been people above the average and people with whom you would like to visit.

The five boys of Dr. J. B. Mitchell are as follows:

Dr. John Thompson Mitchell, a physician, born Oct. 12, 1847 – died November 4, 1912, married Addie Holliday. He was a preacher and had one of the best minds I have ever contacted. I tried him out in everything, Latin, Greek and higher math and I could never stump him. (NOTE by JK: John was not married to Addie Halliday. Instead it was Rev. James William Mitchell, a brother not listed in this biography, who was born Sep 22 1850 in MO and died 1928 Oct 4. He married Addie Holliday Oct 19 1875. As you can see the bio lists 5 boys but only gives 4. I received it from my grandmother and only can imagine that Dr. John and Rev. James were accidentally compressed into one person at some point.)

Robert Gwyn Mitchell, born Oct. 19, 1852 – died March 6, 1908, married Lena Carhart. He was a lawyer and so good the U.S. government called upon him to break the trusts. He was a great church man, Sunday School teacher and went to the different churches talking tithing. He talked it and did it.

Leonidas Stratten Mitchell, born August 11, 1863, died 27 February 1940. He married Laura Owens and that one act showed me he was brilliant. It was wonderful to see him, in his quiet way, get things done where others failed. To sum it up, he told me once, “Give me a pencil and paper, and I don’t believe anyone can out figure me.” He proved this was so.

Orlando McDavid Mitchell, born May 6, 1865, died Oct. 27, 1948, married Clara Wilson. His business was banking, safe deposit and investment work. I must not forget fishing. He had the power of relaxing and lived longer than any of his brothers. He kept an account that was the Lord’s. He helped greatly at Missouri Valley College, investing its money wisely and drawing on the Lord’s account for its help.

On looking at the wives of the sons, I feel that they all married well. If you know me, I am rather choosy and I loved them all for they were more than good to me. I saw more of Aunt Laura and Aunt Clara and they were, and are tops in my book.

The boys seemed to have done well, how about the girls?

Susan Ann, born Feb. 21, 1849, died Sept. 7, 1920, married James S. McDavid. You know that when Dr. J.B. Mitchell was banished during the Civil War the McDavids over in Illinois took care of him and his family and gave them a home on their farm. This is how Sue met James McDavid.

I must put a soty of my own in here. During the last depression, a McDavid came to Kansas City to see if he could raise money to save their bank. A friend brought him over to ask me what I thought of the deal. He talked along for a while, then I spoke up and said the McDavid family had helped my grandfather in the Civil War days and I was glad that a Mitchell could return the favor now. It about knocked this McDavid cold. He said, “What do you know about that? They paid every cent back, a favor that was settled by a grandson for the favor to his grandfather.”

Louisa Caroline married Rev. B.P. Fullerton. Aunt Cal, as we called her, was born July 4, 1895 and died January 22, 1944. She was the life of any party she attended. She had to be to keep up with Uncle Baxter. B. P. Fullerton received the highest honor that the U.S.A. Presbyterian Church could bestow, that of moderator of its General Assembly. The last time I ever saw Uncle Baxter was when he gave a beautiful prayer at Missouri Valley College, when grandfather’s picture was unveiled and given to the school.

Orpha Lou, born October 17, 1857, died July 11, 1925. She married Henry Johnston. Aunt Orpha read her Bible through each year and taught in the Sunday School. Uncle Henry was a farmer and a banker, and a good one too, the leader of his community. He had the best small bank in Missouri.

Bettie Sprague Mitchell, born Dec. 7, 1858, died Nov. 20, 1882, Uncle Lon said she was the sharpest of the lot.

Mary Fannie, born May 4th, 1868, afflicted in youth, died May 30th, 1924, married Henry Bannister. If you wish to take an appraisal, the girls did real well too.”

Transcribed by JMK 2001

Image of Robert Gwyn Mitchell and Lena Bell Carhart

Carhart and Mitchell

Wedding photos of Robert Gwyn Mitchell and Lena Bell Carhart who were married 1891 August 5 in Macon County, Missouri, obtained from Dorothy Mitchell McClure.

Families with Carhart and associated photos are out there wandering the internet. Please, if you have Carhart and/or related family photos, contact me. I would love to have digital copies to place on the blog for all to enjoy and to link to your website should you have one.

Lt. Robert C. Mitchell Honorably Discharged

Robert C. Mitchell (1895-1966) was the son of Robert Gwyn Mitchell and Lena Bell Carhart

* * * * *

Newspaper article, undated

Lieut. Robert C. MITCHELL is home for an indefinite visit with his mother, Mrs. R. G. MITCHELL. He has been honorably discharged from the Aviation service, stationed at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Tex., and has made a splendid record.

Mrs. M. E. CARHART

Obituary for Margaret E. Pettit Carhart, b. 1830 Jan 21 in Zanesville, Ohio. She married Elliot Carhart 1850 Sept 29.

* * * * *

Mrs. M. E. CARHART Obituary

Death Came to Aged Resident of Macon Monday Evening
Born in 1830

Mrs. Margaret E. CARHART, one of the pioneer residents of Macon, and a woman much beloved for her many excellent qualities, gently passed to the home beyond at 8:15 o’clock Monday evening, August 10, 1914, after a long illness, at their home on North Rutherford street.

She was born in Zanesville, Ohio, January 21, 1830, and at the time of her death was well past the three score and ten, and all of them were years of usefulness and well-doing till illness and feebleness, brought on my advanced age, caused her activities to slacken.

Deceased reared a large family of children, four daughters surviving: Miss Ida CARHART, Miss Edith CARHART, Mrs. R. G. MITCHELL and Mrs. Rosa PERRINE of Chillicothe. Three sons, reared to manhood, have gone before: Arlington, Carrington and Arthur, Arlington’s death occurring the past year: Mr. CARHART died December 29, 1905.

Many friends will unite with us in extending sympathy to the bereaved daughters who will deeply mourn the departure of their beloved mother and best friend.

The funeral services were held at the residence Wednesday morning at 9o’clock, conducted by the Rev. W. D. CATER of the M. E. church of this city. Deceased was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church, but in the absence of her pastor, the Rev. Ira W. BARNETT, who is spending his vacation in Colorado, Mr. CATER officiated.

Internment was made in Oakwood cemetery.

DEATH VISITS MANCHESTER HOMES

A. B. Carhart, retouched


Photoshopped the below multiple generation xerox that was with the article. There’s no making it perfect. I was happy to get as much as I did out of it. One begins to get a little character.

A. B. Carhart original

DEATH VISITS MANCHESTER HOMES

A. B. CARHART, WELL KNOWN HARDWARE DEALER, GIVES UP LIFE’S BATTLE

Impressive Funeral Services Held

Feb. 5 1914

Masons Pay Tribute to Memory of Beloved Brother

A. B. CARHART, for seventeen years a prominent business man of Manchester, passed away at his home in this city on Thursday night, shortly before midnight, following an illness of a week. For nearly a year those most closely associated with Mr. CARHART have noticed a decline in his physical strength, but notwithstanding this decline he was always found at his post of duty until just a week before his death. Although his friends in Manchester had known of his critical illness few days previous to the final summons, not even those who watched constantly at his bedside realized that the sickness through which he was then passing would bring the summons.

Impressive funeral services were held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. J. F. MOORE preaching the sermon, paying a beautiful tribute to the memory of Mr. CARHART. Members of the Masonic lodge attended in large numbers, and because of the severity of the weather, the Masonic burial service was read in the church. The services were attended by a large number of sorrowing friends and lodge members. Following the services the remains were placed in the receiving vault in Oakland cemetery, interment to be made at a later date.

Mr. CARHART was born at Eden, Delaware County, Ohio, March 11, 1854, and spent his boyhood days in the native county in that state. When a boy in his teens his parents removed from the state of Ohio, and went to Macon, Missouri, where he grew to young manhood. After finishing his schooling he taught school for a short time in the western part of Iowa.

In the spring of 1878 he came to Manchester, and found employment in the grocery store conducted by A. B. TERRIL. On May 16, 1878, Mr. CARHART was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie L. LANDIS of Philadelphia, their marriage taking place in Chicago. The day following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. CARHART came to Manchester, where they have lived happily together for over thirty-six years. After several months of faithful service in Mr. TERRILL’s grocery store, Mr. CARHART changed from the work of the grocery clerk to that of work in the hardware store of ADAMS Brothers. For nearly two years, Mr. CARHART was in the employ of this pioneer hardware firm. Before going into business in Manchester Mr. CARHART held responsible positions as a traveling salesman for hardware concerns of Chicago and Dubuque, following this occupation for nearly sixteen years. When the necessity of a rest from close attention to business cares compelled Mr. CARHART to make a change, the sale of the large stock was affected.

During all of the years that Mr. CARHART was associated with the business interests of Manchester, he formed the most intimate friendships among his business associates. By adherence to such rules of life as make for the square deal in all of his transactions he at once won the confidence of those who came in contact with him. Although his time was occupied with the cares and responsibilities of a large business, he always found time to have a friendly word with those who had learned to love him.

Not only did he stand for the square deal in the business life of this community, but his influence for good was felt even more strongly in the church and lodge. For years, he had been intimately associated with the work of the Congregational church, being a member of the board of deacons at the time of his death. He was faithful in the performances of his church obligations. His faith in his Maker was deep seated and his earnest Christian life proved an inspiration to his pastor, with whom he had entered into a most intimate friendship, and fellow church members.

In the death of this beloved citizen the Masonic order suffers the loss of a faithful member. During the many years that he was affiliated with this order he held many positions of honor and trust and was faithful to all of the high principles for which the Masonic order stands. He was a member of Manchester Lodge No. 145 (165?), A. F. & A. M; Olive Branch chapter No. 48; Knights Templar, and Elam Council No. 33, and also of El Kahir Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Mr. CARHART leaves to mourn his death his devoted wife and one daughter, Miss Nina CARHART, and one son, Bert CARHART of St. Louis. Besides the wife and two children he leaves his aged and invalid mother, Mrs. Margaret CARHART, and four sisters, Mrs. Lena MITCHELL, Miss Ida CARHART, Miss Edith CARHART, all of Macon, Missouri, and Mrs. Leroy PERRINA of Chillicotha, Missouri.

The sudden death … has blasted cherished plans. Often had he remarked to his most intimate friends that he longed for the time when he would be able to lay aside the busy cares of life and be able to enjoy in a larger measure the companionship of his family.

At this time of great sorrow, Manchester friends extend to the bereaved ones, sincere sympathy.

Photo by N. H. HYDE, Manchester

THE ESSAY THAT WON THE PRIZE

Margaret Gwynette Mitchell (1892 b. , Macon, Missouri to 1933) was the daughter of Robert Gwyn Mitchell and Lena Bell Carhart. Later she married Warner B. Hagan.

* * * * *

THE ESSAY THAT WON THE PRIZE

Why the Americans were Victorious in the Revolution

Last year Miss Louise BROCK won the Ann Helm chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution essay. On Tuesday evening the prize at the second annual contest was awarded to Miss Gwynette MITCHELL. Her theme was “Why the Americans Were Victorious in the Revolution.” She wrote as follows:

Among the many historic arts and political deliverances there is probably none more eighty in significance and results, none more famous in the annals of the world than the war of the American Revolution; and we who can now call ourselves Americans, refer with a great deal of interest to the reasons for the success of our forefathers.

The story of the Revolution is not a beautiful one, but it is one, the issues of which, even today, greatly affect this American commonwealth; for nations, like individuals must be governed by justice. As Theodore Parker beautifully says “Justice is the keynote of the world and all else is out of time.”

In the story of the war for independence, there are two things that equally surprise the reader–first, that the Britain should ever have deemed it possible to subdue their revolting colonies; and second, that having attempted it, they should fail.

The American colonies were separated from the mother country by almost three thousand miles of sea, and as England’s navy had been impoverished during the Seven Year’s War, it was difficult for her to provide transportation for her troops. The colonies too, possessed one thousand miles of seaboard with many fine ports, and the possibilities of the unexplored regions were many. England with her naval power might destroy their commerce, attack their seaports and deprive them of many of the luxuries of life but she could strike no vital blow.

During the long wars with the French and Indians the colonists had been subject to the most severe privations and had undergone many hardships, but these only served to make more firm their already noble characters and to awaken in their breasts the determination to free their country from oppression and to leave to their sons that most enviable inheritance which they themselves had so long desired–a country in which all might be born equal and where justice should prevail.

To anyone who judged the question from an unprejudiced standpoint, it was evident that should the colonies resolve to sever their connections with her mother country, it would be useless to resist. England at the beginning of the war underestimated the force of the movement but she was soon to learn the firmness and resolution with which she must contend.

Popular feeling in England against the seeming useless expense of keeping a large standing army and navy had caused these to be much reduced. This condition forced them to hire large troops and to depend on them for a great deal of their strength; so the government bargained with some German princes for the sale of their subjects and a large number of unhappy Germans were sent like so many slaves to aid George III in conquering the Americans. Could these indifferent forces expect to cope with a people rising as one man to advance a noble cause? It did not occur to Great Britain that she was trying to crush true English spirit with her mercenary troops.

Lord Carlisle, speaking of the great scale of all things in America, said, “We have nothing on a great scale with us but our blunders, our misconducts, our ruin, our losses, our disgraces and misfortunes.” One of these great “blunders” was the idea that the spirit of the American colonists could be quelled by mercenary troops; for thousands of colonists who had hitherto hesitated about consenting to independence now decided it to be necessary; tens of thousands who had doubled the advisability of accepting aid from France were now convinced of the necessity of the policy. The king had called the Germans to his aid; why should the colonists not accept the aid proffered them by their old enemies, the French? So it was argued and an alliance was formed. Spain and Holland, following the example of France, offered aid which was accepted.

England now realized the real significance of the rebellion, but her strength was averted by the dangerous European wars. Her old enemies, France, Spain and Holland had joined the war against her and she was again having trouble over her colonies in India. Instead of being merely a war for the possession of thirteen unruly colonies it had become a struggle for the preservation of her whole empire. Had the Revolution been merely a contest between England and America it would doubtless have been a temporary failure for the Americans, but England was not prepared to contest with a league of the strongest European powers.

The English claimed that their failure was largely due to incompetent generals. In a measure this was true; though England cannot lay all the blame on her military leaders. Their plan, of campaign was wrong, as they sought to occupy territory rather than to crush resistance. But the Americans were on the defensive and although the English should gain a few victories they would not prove fatal as long as an armed resistance was maintained. Lord North, with his quaint humor said, “I do not know whether our generals will frighten the enemy, but I know that they frighten me whenever I think of them.”

Nor did America possess many brilliant generals, but they were sincere, and when supervised by the great commander, George Washington, they accomplished much. Washington’s ability to hold large armies in check with small forces imperfectly equipped and his readiness to take advantage of the slightest opportunities mark him as one of the world’s great military commanders. His victories were few and unimportant and his only important battle, a failure, but his success lies in his skill to do much with little, to take advantage of very opportunity and rise superior to every disaster. He seemed to be a gift of providence to carry out a work, the success of which was destined to play an important part in the future history of nations.

Washington has been compared to the Duke of Wellington. True, their military ability and successes are similar, but had Washington been merely another Duke of Wellington the history of the war of the Revolution would have been very different. Long after Washington, the general, was no more, Washington the patriot and statesman was an important factor in the formation of the nation; for his also was the ability to mold the will of congress to suit the needs of the war.

We, who take such great pride in calling ourselves Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution do not do so merely because independence was fought for and won. It would have meant little to us had our forefathers, favored by the advantages of good fortune, fought only for their own personal gain. But when we think of the difficulties they so courageously overcame to establish the commonwealth which they themselves could scarcely live to enjoy, we can, in part, realize the great sacrifice they made for us. It would have been easier for some people to have endured some oppression rather than to purchase freedom at so precious a price as their own lives. But we know with what valor they fought and could wish to be known by no more honorable title than Daughters of the American Revolution.

Lena Carhart Mitchell a Member of Annie Helm Chapter of the NSDAR

Lena Bell Carhart Mitchell was a member of the Annie Helm Chapter of the NSDAR.

* * * * *

ANNIE HELM CHAPTER NSDAR
Organized October 20, 1908

HISTORY

Anne Helm Chapter was organized by a group of 23 patriotic women on October 20, 1908, in Macon, Missouri

Charter Members were: Louisa William Brock, Maude Dysart Brock, Ethel Coulter Brown, Mary Craddock Doneghy, Kate Campbell Doneghy, Martha Prewitt Doneghy, Carrie Stewart Duffy, Emma Turner Dysart, Susie Mitchell Guthrie, Mattie Blincoe Howe, Hettie Coulter Lamb, Martha Gilstrap Matthews, Mary Anderson Matthews, Corrine Matthews, Lena Carhart Mitchell, Lena Trowbridge Payson, Emily Pipkin Simmons, Amy Simmons, Lucy Simmons, Mary Van Cleve, Hallie Wilkinson Wardell, Stella Turner Wilson, and Elizabeth Stickney Wilson.

The name Anne Helm was chosen in honor of Mrs. John T. Doneghy’s great-great grandmother who assisted and sacrificed members of her family for the cause of the Revolutionary War.

The Macon Public Library was founded on March 23, 1912, with Miss Sarah Larrabee as librarian. It was located in the Howe Building opposite of the Jefferson Hotel. DAR members raised funds by having “Tap Day” and several “Macon County Banquets.” The response to the library was so great that it soon became too large for the Howe Store. The library moved several times until, in 1915, the trustees voted to build a permanent library. The Anne Helm Chapter purchased the lot on the corner of Rutherford and Butler where the present library building is located.

The Anne Helm Chapter was instrumental in forming the first Red Cross Chapter in Macon and helped to raise funds to sponsor Herbert English, a volunteer for ambulance service in France during W.W.I.

On November 11, 1934, a bronze plaque was unveiled at the Macon County Court House to honor four Revolutionary Soldiers who are buried in Macon County. They are James Howell, James Lynch, Bennett Tilley, and Nicholas Tuttle.

Source: http://www.mssdar.org/ahelm/history.htm

Tombstone of Robert Gwyn Mitchell, Lena Bell Carhart Mitchell and son James Dysart

Tombstone of Robert Gwyn and Lena Mitchell

Robert Gwyn Mitchell b. 1852 Oct 19 , Monroe, Missouri to 1909 March 6, St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, and wife, Lena Bell Carhart b. 1871 Mar 22 at , Macon County, Missouri to 1957 Nov 26 at Baldwin City, Douglas, Kansas.

The son here was James Dysart Mitchell b. 1897 April 27 at , Macon, Missouri, who died of diphtheria at the age of three, 1900 Jan 6 in , Macon County, Missouri.

Image courtesy of Mitchell Noll.