Glendale, California Biographies

George Mitchell

        George Mitchell was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, April 28, 1859, son of George and Barbara Jane (Shives) Mitchell. He was educated in the district grammar schools of Aberdeen. His life has shown him to be the possessor of those sterling qualities, which have made so many Scotchmen leaders in business and pioneer builders of our western country.

        Mr. Mitchell came to America when twenty years of age. He remained in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one year and then went to Wyoming. He bought land in the vicinity of the present site of Wheatland, Wyoming ant was soon recognized as one of its leading men of that part of the state. In 1888 he built the first building in Casper. He was that city’s first mayor, serving successive terms. He was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket in 1886 before Wyoming was admitted to the Union. He was a member and chairman of the County Central Democratic Committee for many years.

        Senator Mitchell first came to California in 1904, when he bought ten acres where he now resides on Kenneth Road. Half of this has recently been sold and is being subdivided. He built his present residence in 1907. He spends the summer months in Wyoming attending to his vast business interests of cattle and horse raising and large land holdings. For several years he was also engaged in the lumber business. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Senator Mitchell is a highly respected and honored citizen of both Wyoming and Glendale.

        In 1894 he returned to Scotland and married Jeannie Moir, a native of Aberdeen. Their three children are Ruth, wife of A. B. Fancher of Long Beach, California; George Robert, who is associated with his father in his varied interests; and Margaret H., a senior at Marlborough School at Los Angeles.

            From History of Glendale and Vicinity by John Calvin Sherer. The Glendale Publishing Company, c. 1922 F. M. Broadbooks and J. C. Sherer. p. 419-420.