Dr. Robert Jarvis Mitchell, from point of
service, is one of the oldest physicians in Macoupin county, having been
engaged in the practice of his profession in Girard for a period of forty
years. He was born in Schuyler county, Missouri, on the 30th of October,
1843, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Underwood) Mitchell. The father was
a native of England and the mother of Kentucky but of English extraction,
her father, Francis Underwood, having been a native of England.
in
the acquirement of his education Dr. Mitchell attended the country schools,
the course therein pursued being later supplemented by study at Shurtleff
College at Upper Alton, from which institution he was graduated in 1869 with
the degree of B. A. As he had already decided to adopt the medical
profession for his life vocation, in the autumn following his graduation he
matriculated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and two years afterward was
awarded the degree of M. D. Immediately following he came to Girard, where
he established an office and has ever since been engaged in practice. During
the first few years of his professional career he devoted his attention to a
general practice but subsequently specialized in diseases of the eye and
ear. In 1862 Dr. Mitchell joined the Missouri Militia, which was organized
in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Lincoln, and was an
influential factor in bringing about peace in the northeastern part of that
state.
On the 23d of April, 1873, in Girard, Dr. Mitchell was united
in marriage to Miss Julia A. Bennion, a native of Wales and a daughter of
Randall and Augusta (Lucas) Bennion. Her parents were born, reared and
married in North Wales, where they continued to reside until 1849, which
year witnessed their emigration to America. They were accompanied by their
three children, including Mrs. Mitchell, who was then but six months old. On
landing in New York they proceeded to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where Mr. Bennion
purchased land and engaged in farming for eight years. He then came to
Macoupin county, Illinois, and bought a farm near Girard, upon which he
lived until his removal to the village in 1860. Here he engaged in the grain
business for twenty years and then retired from active life. His death
occurred in 1883 and his wife passed away in 1895. They attended the Baptist
church and in politics he voted with the democratic party. Dr. and Mrs.
Mitchell have two daughters, Mabel and Vinita.
The Doctor’s
fraternal relations are confined to his connection with the Masonic order,
being a member of Girard Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., and Girard Chapter,
No. 132, R. A. M., while his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. He is
also affiliated with the American Medical Association, the Illinois State
Medical Association and the Macoupin County Medical Society, being a charter
member of the last organization, of which he was at one time president.
Politically he is an ardent democrat but has never cared for official honors
although he has served as school director and president of the board of
education of Girard. He filled the latter position for several years in a
most efficient and creditable manner, the cause of education ever having
found in him an enthusiastic and zealous supporter.
Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 252-255.
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