by Charles W. Bowman
Biographies
JOHN L. MITCHMr. Mitch was born of Prussian parents, in America, in 1847. His boyhood was passed in Ohio and Kentucky. He attended common schools in Ohio, though none after he was thirteen years of age. He had one sister. Mr. Mitch was obliged to rely on his own resources early in life for a livelihood. At the commencement of the war, he was in Kentucky, and entered the army, and was associated with Gen. John T. Croxton. Though too young to be a commissioned officer, in a general way he performed staff duties. Mr. Mitch was wounded in the battle of Chickamaugo. He received three shots, and was left on the field three days. He was taken to a hospital, where he remained for a long time. But his friend, Gen. Croxton, did not forget him. He hunted up Mr. Mitch, and, after the General was wounded, they were together at his rooms. Mr. Mitch attributes his recovery to the kindness of Gen. Croxton, in addition to the attention and assistance of Col. Hunt. After the defeat of Gen. Croxton at Lovejoy Station, south of Atlanta, Ga., Mr. Mitch was the only man of his staff who remained with him. A good portion of the troops were captured, and the command cut off. Three � the General, Mr. Mitch and another soldier � started out for a place of safety. The third party was killed the first night out. For fourteen days and nights, the remaining two of the party were alone, living on berries and melons. They finally reached a place of security unharmed. After the war closed, Mr. Mitch attended Kentucky University at Lexington nearly four years, and would have graduated had his health not failed him. Again he became indebted to his friend, Gen. Croxton, who was instrumental in procuring a situation in the revenue service in Kentucky. In this position he remained until after the fall elections of 1867, when he resigned, as he had different political views from the incoming administration. In 1868, Mr. Mitch came to Kansas and Colorado, and remained a year before returning to his old home, on account of wounds he received during the war. After his return, he was associated with the Farmers' Home Journal, published at Lexington, subsequently at Louisville, and corresponded with a number of other journals. He was obliged to relinquish this labor on account of ill health, and seek out-door employment. Mr. Mitch then engaged in shipping stock, in company with W.E. Oldham, from different points in Kentucky and Ohio, to New York City and Boston. He was thus employed until 1877, when he came to El Paso County and continued the business, where he took up land, and, together with purchases, he now has two sets of ranches � one for summer and one for winter. In 1880, Mr. Mitch visited his old home in Kentucky, when his friend and former partner joined him in his Colorado enterprises. They now have about three thousand five hundred head of sheep. They lost many during the severe winter of 1880-81. Although they consider they have been reasonably successful, they are making efforts to improve their stock to as high a degree as the country and climate will admit. Too fine stock will not bear the rough handling used in Colorado. Mr. Mitch is enthusiastic in his chosen work, and is deserving of success.
