J.C. Mitchell was born in Marion on February 2, 1925, the son of Everett Edward and Margaret Helen (Hartman) Mitchell.
One of Mitchell’s great-grandfathers, William N. Mitchell, first moved to the Williamson County area near Corinth about the year 1830. He was a school teacher at the time. He later studied surveying and when Franklin County split in two and formed Williamson County in 1839, Mitchell ran the survey line between the south boundaries of Franklin County and the present north boundary of Williamson County. He also served in the Civil War as Captain in the Union Army. He was a postmaster and after service during the Civil War was County Clerk of Williamson County.
One of W.N. Mitchell’s sons, James C. Mitchell, after whom attorney Mitchell was named, was a doctor and, with his wife, practiced medicine for a short time on the western frontier. He then settled in Marion, Illinois at 402 S. Market Street, which still stands today on the historic street.
The elder J.C. Mitchell, grandfather of attorney Mitchell, organized the First National Bank of Marion, served as County Clerk of Williamson County and was Mayor of Marion in 1891 and City Alderman in 1892.
Attorney Mitchell’s father, Everett E. Mitchell, saw combat service in Europe as a Lieutenant in WWI.
Another of Attorney Mitchell’s relatives was one of his other great-grandfathers, John H. White. White was one of the two persons responsible for the creation of the now famous 31st Illinois Volunteer Regiment which saw service in the Civil War. Its original commander was General John A. Logan. Logan was originally appointed Colonel of the Regiment and White was the Lieutenant Colonel. During the course of the now famous battle of Fort Donelson, after Logan had been injured while leading the regiment, White took his place and was heroically killed in battle. White, prior to his military service, also served as Williamson County Clerk.
In 1927, Mitchell’s parents were living in a home at 503 S. Virginia Street and his father was connected with a business called Scherertz and Mitchell which I have yet to find any information on.
A few years later, in the 1930 census, the parental family had moved into their permanent home at 518 E. Everett Street which is where J.C. would have spent most of his youth. J.C.’s parents in this census were both aged 39 and J.C. was 5. His father’s occupation was listed as a state highway road contractor. J.C. had two brothers in the home, Charles Mitchell 13 and Hartman Mitchell aged 2. The family had a live in, 22 year old, female, domestic servant housekeeper named Mamie Pritchett. Everett claimed a value of $10,000 on the home which they own.
By the 1940 census, Everett valued the home on Everett Street at $5,000, half the value he claimed at the start of the depression. J.C., then aged 15 shared space in the home with his two brothers. His older brother, Charles, was then aged 23 and was working as an engineer. The younger brother, Hartman, was only 15 and still attending school like J.C.
Attorney Mitchell was a graduate of Marion High School in 1942. After his graduation, he began his advanced education by attending for one year at Northwestern University of Chicago.
After his first year at Northwestern, he answered the call of this nation and enlisted into the United States Army Air Corps during the period of WW II. He served in the European Theater as a navigator of troop carriers for the parachutists, flying planes into enemy territory. His plane was hit three times by enemy gunfire, and he was always thankful upon his safe return to his base. After his period of faithful service, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Just prior to the time of his discharge he was united in marriage to Shirley Joanne Walker August 1, 1945, in St. Louis. Together they have shared over 61 years of marriage.
After his discharge from the Air Corps he resumed his education by attending Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, for one semester. He then decided upon his life’s career and was accepted into the Law School of University of Illinois at Champagne and soon moved his wife and his young son, Michael Geoffry Mitchell, to begin his schooling. During this time he immersed himself into the law program, never taking any time off, even during the summertime and passed the Illinois Bar Exam before his official graduation in 1949.
Soon after graduation he and his family returned back to Marion, Mitchell continued the family tradition of public service as President of the Marion Junior Chamber of Commerce, now called the Jaycees.
In 1955, Mitchell became counsel for the Williamson County Airport Authority. As counsel, he guided various Boards of Commissioners of the Authority in the creation and development of the Airport Authority. It was through their efforts that the airport was able to secure regular scheduled airline service and developed into a regional airport for the community and county.
In late 1957, Mitchell joined with others in creating what is now the Marion Park District through which the Marion park system and swimming pool were created and built. He served as legal counsel for the Park District from its conception. His initial retainer in 1958 was $25 per month.
Later, while serving as President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, one of its first successful industrial locations was pursued.
As Chairman of the Chamber Prison Site Selection Committee, he worked closely with Congressman Kenneth Gray and their efforts, together with many others in the county and was able to locate the now well-known United States Federal Prison southwest of Marion around 1963.
Mitchell has also served on the Marion Off Street Parking Commission, the volunteer organization that acquired and developed the parking areas, which are now located around the Public Square in Marion.
Like his grandfather, James C. Mitchell, who organized the First National Bank, attorney Mitchell was also instrumental in the organization of the Peoples Bank of Marion.
In July of 1949, after returning to Marion from school, he began his law practice with Attorney Gordon Franklin for about one year.
He then opened up his own practice and became a partner with Attorney Frank Roan, with an office located at 1204 Public Square, until moving his office to W. Main Street. He remained in that partnership for several years until the partnership was dissolved. He then formed a partnership with Attorney Tony Armstrong and opened the law practice of Mitchell and Armstrong, practicing together in Marion for many years, from the late 1970’s and into the 1990’s. Their law office was located at 404 N. Monroe Street in 1980 and 1990.
He later began practicing with his son, Bruce Walker Mitchell, and together they formed the law practice of Mitchell and Mitchell. Later he and his son accepted into the partnership Attorney John Bradley, forming the new practice of Mitchell, Mitchell and Bradley. After John Bradley accepted the position as State Representative and left the law practice in 2003, Attorney Mitchell and his son, Bruce, continued to practice until Attorney Mitchell decided to semi-retire after 55 years as a lawyer.
He tried to semi-retire to Arizona, but law was so much a part of him, he returned back to Marion in January of 2005, and resumed practicing with his son, Bruce.
He was still practicing law at the time of his death and had four cases pending.
J.C. and Shirley Mitchell’s residence for decades was located at 408 Bainbridge Road.
Though his love for his career was very important to him, the most important part of his life was his family. He truly enjoyed watching all their activities and accomplishments and he always was willing to offer advice where the thought it was needed.
Attorney Mitchell was of the Methodist faith and was a member of the Marion First United Methodist Church.
His other memberships included being a member of the College of Trial Lawyers and at the time of his induction, he was the youngest lawyer ever admitted into this organization. He also was a member of the Illinois Bar Association, the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, the West Frankfort Country Club for 49 years, former member of the Marion Lions Club, and former member of the Marion Elks Club B.P.O.E. No 800, where he had served as Exalted Ruler in 1958.
Everyone who knew him knew of his love for the game of golf. During his lifetime he had played at many of the famous courses of the world. On his 50th wedding anniversary he and his wife attended the British Open Tournament in Scotland.
Though he had played at many of the famous golf courses of the world, the course and group that was very special to him was a group of local golfers that originally began playing together every Monday, at the Franklin County Country Club, and since the restaurant at the course was always closed on Mondays they took cheese and lunch meat for snacks and this group became known as “The Bologna’s”. They changed their days of golfing to Tuesdays and Thursdays but this close group of golfers still was known as “The Bologna’s”.
Attorney Mitchell was playing with this group the day his accident occurred on the course in West Frankfort and one of his close friends rushed him to Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. He was then transferred to St. Louis University Hospital and later to Kindred Medical Center where he never recovered. His wife, Shirley, stayed with him throughout the six weeks of his hospitalization and was with him at the time of his death.
Mitchell at the age of 81, passed away at 11:14 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2006, in Kindred Medical Center of St. Louis.
With his passing he is survived by his wife, Shirley Mitchell of Marion; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Leigh and Keith Wall of Marion, and their children, Haley, Nathan and Ethan all of Marion; son, Michael Geoffry Mitchell of Marion; brother and sister-in-law, Hartman and Marilyn Mitchell of Tulsa, Okla., niece, Michele Mitchell of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, other extended family members and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son Bruce Walker Mitchell on March 24, 2006; two grandsons, Shawn Michael Mitchell and Tyler Keith Wall and his brother, Charles Mitchell.
Arrangements for Attorney Mitchell were entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home located at 900 N. Court Street of Marion.
The memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. 2006, at the funeral home with Illinois State Representative John Bradley presenting the eulogy; his daughter, Deborah presenting comments of memory and his son-in-law, Keith Wall presiding over the service.
Following the service, the family and friends proceeded to Rose Hill Cemetery where the committal service was held on the family lot. Mitchell’s son-in-law, Keith, presented words of farewell and thanks. Military honors were accorded by VFW Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and members of the Illinois Army National Guard, all of Marion.
Those participating were Commander, Dan Tooley; Chaplain, Jerry Thompson; Bugler, Bill Deaton; Officer of the Day; Pat Campbell; Honor Guard, Bill Stewart and Chuck Knapp; National Colors, Ernie Rinella; VFW Post Colors, Tom Vaughn; American Legion Colors, Tom Hartwell; POW/MIA Colors, Alan Kahler; Color Guard, Jessie James and Larry Largent; Firing Squad, Don Burgrabe, Dan Fruge, Calvin James, Ron Russell, Jerry Swisher, Lawrence Tripp and Frank Hichins.
Presentation of the colors to Mr. Mitchell’s wife, Shirley, was done by Sgt. Swallers.
(Data extracted from the Marion Daily Republican obits, September 2006; 1989 Sesquicentennial History; Federal Census Records; Marion Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 10/23/2013)