James Mitchell, Deputy Clerk of the Crown and Pleas, and Registrar of the Surrogate Court, was born in the parish of Larbert, County of Stirling, Scotland, March 22, 1826. His father was James Mitchell, senior, M.D., a native of Lanarkshire, born in 1793; a graduate of the University of Glasgow, and a resident of the. County of Haldimand, from 1837 until his death in 1860. On his arrival in this country Dr. Mitchell purchased a bush farm in North Cayuga, and improved it, at the same time continuing the practice of his profession, being the first physician to settle in the county. He held the office of Reeve three consecutive terms; was a practical business man as well as a skilful physician; lived an eminently useful life, and was greatly respected.
The mother of our subject was Isabella Brown, a native of Stirling, Scotland, married in 1818, and the mother of eight children, dying in 1848. She was an active Christian and an affectionate and true mother.
James, the only one of the eight children now living, finished his education at a private school in Hamilton; worked on his father’s farm in North Cayuga until 1867, and while a resident of that township held for a short time the offices of Councilor, School Trustee, and Magistrate, still holding the last named office. For three years, commencing in 1861, Mr. Mitchell was an assistant in the offices of the Clerk of the Crown and Pleas, Clerk of the County Court and Registrar of the Surrogate Court; in 1876 was appointed to these several offices, and is performing their duties with the utmost faithfulness. He has been a License Commissioner since the creation of such an office, and is Secretary of the County Board. He is a first class business man, attentive, accurate and trustworthy.
The politics of Mr. Mitchell are Reform, and up to a recent date he has been very active, doing yeoman’s service as a canvasser and speaker during an exciting election. Since accepting Government office he has not mixed in politics.
He is a Royal Arch Mason, and was for three years Master of St. John’s Lodge, No. 35, Cayuga.
Mr. Mitchell is a pleasant man with whom to transact business, being cordial and prompt, and hence is quite popular.