Gen. G. M. Mitchell, Postmaster, Charleston, was born in Warren Co., Ky., Oct. 5, 1835. His father, Bedford Mitchell, came to Coles Co. in 1851 and settled in Paradise Township, where he died in 1856. In 1852, the subject of this sketch, then a lad of 17, entered a store in Paradise, as clerk for Cunningham & Son, where he remained six years. He then followed merchandising for himself until 1859, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under Malden Jones, and served until May, 1860. On the 18t of May, 1860, he married Miss Kate Miles, daughter of John Miles, of Charleston, and has seven children. Removing to Mattoon, he formed a partnership with John Cunningham, under the firm name of Mitchell & Cunningham, and continued in general merchandise business until the breaking-out of the rebellion. In June, 1861, he entered the army as Captain of Co. C 18th. V. C. – the first three-years regiment to leave the State. He served with that regiment till February, 1862, when he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 54th I. V. I. In October, 1863, was promoted to Colonel. In 1864, he re-enlisted with his regiment as a veteran, and in the fall of the same year was brevetted Brigadier General, and was mustered out of the service Nov. 3, 1865, having served actively and continuously for nearly five years; he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Parker’s Cross Roads, Tenn., and was with Gen. Steel in all his campaigns in Arkansas. Returning from the war, he was elected Sheriff of Coles Co., holding the office two years. He was appointed Postmaster at Charleston in April, 1877.
