Unscrambling
Some
McGannon's, Mitchel's, And Dixon's

    This research started with a small death record in the North Vernon Plain Dealer for August 29, 1918: The burial of Miss Frances Mitchel of Indianapolis, took place in Vernon Cemetery at noon on Friday. Deceased was born and reared in Vernon and the citizens of Vernon were shocked on hearing of her sudden death.

    When I add death notices or obituary to the web site I try to link them to their Find A Grave listing, so I checked there and didn't find a listing for her. I then checked the listings for Vernon Cemetery I have access to, and found nothing. So I checked for a Death Certificate for her and found one but her full name was actually Caroline Frances Mitchel, she was only thirty years old and since it said she was born and reared in Vernon and I had her parents names on her death certificate I figured I would add her and link her to her parents. WRONG, I could not find either of her parents listed as buried in Vernon. At this point the "tying up of loose ends" is evolving into a quest.
    After finding the death notice I also found this obituary in the next issue of the paper.
North Vernon Plain Dealer - September 5, 1918
OBITUARY
     Caroline Frances Mitchel, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Mitchel was born at Vernon, Indiana, June 9, 1888. Her childhood days were spent in Vernon until she was thirteen years of age, at which time the family moved to North Vernon. She graduated from the North Vernon High School in the class of 1905 and the following year entered Western College at Oxford, Ohio. From this school she was graduated on her twenty-first birthday in the class of 1909.
     In January 1915 with her parents she moved to Indianapolis, which city has since been her home. It was soon after this removal that death entered the home taking away her father, May 30, 1915.
     Frances had been a teacher for the past eight years, having taught at North Vernon, Greenfield, and Clinton. At the time of her death she was head of the mathematics department of the Clinton High School, to which position she was preparing to return in September.
     During her high school days Frances became a member of the Presbyterian church at North Vernon, where she retained her membership until the time of her death. Her ambition and energy was such that she refused to be idle during the summer and accordingly she had taken a position as book-keeper at an insurance office. It was while engaged at her duties that she became ill and was removed to the Methodist Hospital, where she passed to her final rest.
     Frances leaves a mother a sister, Bernice, a grandmother; Mrs. Margaret Mitchel and a cousin Mrs. . . Thompson in the home, and the various communities where she has lived, a great many friends who will share in the loss of her companionship.
CARD OF THANKS
     We wish to express our sincere thanks for the many kindnesses and considerations shown us at the passing out of our daughter and sister Frances Mitchel.


     Since I had a name and date of death for her father and I wanted to see if he was buried at Vernon, I looked up his Death Certificate and Obituary.


Unfortunately Ancestry.com has transcribed this as his father being Walter T. Mitchel but if you look at it the middle initial is clearly an F.

North Vernon Plain Dealer - June 3, 1915, Page 1

DR. WALTER J. MITCHEL ENDS EARTHLY TROUBLES.
______
Brooded Over Financial Reverses And Ill Health
     Dr. Walter J. Mitchel, until a few months ago a resident of this city, was found dead in his room over the McClellan Restaurant, at about four o'clock Monday afternoon. A note found on the table in his room revealed the fact that the doctor in a fit of despondency had taken his own life. Constant brooding over ill health and financial difficulties, which resulted in mental derangement, is generally accepted as the cause of the rash act. In the note the doctor told that he had been insane for the past three years and that he had no control over himself. He wrote that his insurance books were at Gautier's Bakery, and ended the note with he words, "Goodby Everyone." An empty glass was found on the table, but it is believed that it contained only water. No trace of the drug was found in the room, yet is is believed that the act was accomplished by swallowing poison. Dr. Mitchel was born and raised in Vernon and was a practicing physician there for many years. Later he moved to this city and practiced he profession here until on account of ill health he was forced to give up his practice. After a year's rest he again took up the practice and continued the work of his profession until he moved to Indianapolis a few months ago. He served as clerk of Jennings Circuit Court for four years, his term expiring last January. At the conclusion of his term of office a shortage of $1500 was reported by the Board of Accounts, which was adjusted by him and his bondsmen. At the time of moving his family to Indianapolis, Dr. Mitchel had bright prospects of a lucrative position on the State Board of Health, under Dr. Hurty. Through the salary of this position he hoped to be able to straighten his financial difficulties, wnd when later the position was given to another, he became despondent over his inability to settle his debts. He came to this city last week and took a room at McClellan's Rooming House. He greeted all his friends in his usual cordial manner, but those who were most intimately acquainted with him knew that financial affairs were preying upon his mind. He retired at about nine o'clock Sunday night and later was aroused by the night clerk who told him that his daughter had called him over the phone, from Indianapolis. He told his daughter that he would return home the following day and after talking a few minutes returned to his room stating that he did not wished to be called in the morning. Late in the afternoon when the maid attempted to enter the room in order to put it in order, she found the door locked. She reported this to Mr. McClellan and when the door was forced open, the doctor was found lying on the bed, dead. It is the opinion of physicians who viewed the body that life had been extinct for about fifteen hours before the body was found. The body was removed to H. H. Dowd's Undertaking Establishment and later taken to the home of his mother, Mrs. M. H. Mitchel, at Vernon, where funeral services were conducted by Revs. Holmes, Irvine, Jann and Ross at 12:30 o'clock, Wednesday. The Masonic Lodge, of which he was a member attended the services and marched in procession to the Vernon Cemetery, where the remains were interred. His death has saddened the hearts of his many loyal friends and left grief-stricken his aged mother, his wife and two daughters.

     This family consisted of Dr. Walter J. Mitchel and his wife Anna Pearl (Rowan) Mitchel who had two daughters: Caroline Frances whose obituary is above and Lillian Bernice who married Harry Leonard Floyd in Marion County on August fourteenth of 1920, she ended up moving to California after her marriage and as did her mother Anna who died there. Neither Dr. Walter J. Mitchel or his daughter Caroline Frances appear to have headstones, or has any records of their burials been found. Two things could be in play here, Dr. Mitchel being a suicide it might have been privacy was an issue but it also mentions he was having financial troubles and his wife may not have been able to afford headstones for either his or the grave of their daughter Caroline Frances three years later.
     Since I had the parents of Dr. Walter Mitchel listed on his death certificate I decided To continue exploring this Mitchel family. His father is listed as Dr. James F. Mitchel so I started with him.
     I checked Find A Grave and did find a Dr. James F. Mitchel listed but with very little information, so since he died prior to 1900 when death certificates are availabe I looked for an obituary and discovered I already had one for him.

    November 23, 1887 - Vernon Banner
     Dr. J. F. Mitchel died at his home in Vernon, on lst Wednesday morning, Nov. 16th, at 1 1/2 o'clock after a brief illness. His funeral occurred on Friday and was one of the largest ever seen in Vernon. The Oddfellows and Knights of Pythias, of which orders he was a member, conducted the funeral according to their rites. We print in another column the obituary prepared and delivered by his pastor Rev. W. W. Shyder during the funeral exercises. It is a just tribute to the memory of the deceased and expresses the sentiment of his many friends. In this death notice in the same paper his name is correct as James F.

In Memoriam
     James H(F). Mitchel, M.D., was born in Jennings County, Indiana, December 14th, 1837. He completed all the courses at the common school in the neighborhood where his parents resided. At the age of nine months he was left fatherless by the death of his father and was reared to manhood by his maternal grandfather. After his primary course in the common school he took a three years' course in the State University at Bloomington; and subsequently a medical course at the Ohio Medical College and received his diploma as a gratuate of that Institution in March 1860 and continued in the practice of his profession till the day of his departure, a period of 27 years.
     While a youth, 18 years of age, in the year 1855, at Dupont, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church under the pastoral labors of Rev. Wm. H. Sweets, and retained his membership in the church militant until his recent removal to the church triumpant. From the time that he first witnessed the good confession, he maintained and unwaving friendship for the chruch, and the other members of the church cherish a fond memory of his appropriate confessions and testimonies, as in our class and love-feast meetings he has with becoming humility witnessed for Jesus the Saviour.
     In his physical proportions, Dr. Mitchel was of medium stature, symetrically formed and was comly in personell; of amiable disposition, never coarse or cross, remarkably free from fretting and stewing, even amid the ever occuring vexations of the daily routine of human life; polite in his deportment, never glorying in sin or shame and never reproching others with faults or foibles that were consciously his own; a gentleman by nature, and a generous, friend by culture. And this tout en senble was reciprocated by his extended circle of acquaintances, and was appreciated by the numerous families who were his patients and patrons in his profession. "He that would have friends show himself friendly." He carried this refinement of manhood with him in his professional visits and was a favorite among the people. His personal interest in his patient, and tender sympathy with the afflicted made him a welcome visitor in the home where the sable wings of the dark angel are so often heard to rustle amid the hopes and fears of the distressed and anxious household. How much he will be missed by the families included in the wide circle of his partrons, can be better realized in the deep feeling of a public loss than expressed in words. The well to do families and the humble home of the poor share alike in this sense of bereavement, for he was the sympathizing friend of all regardless of the accident of poverty or wealth. The lady whom he wedded Sept. 3rd, 1861, (In Jennings County, Indiana), Miss Maggie (Margaret) Hilton, with whom he had lived in loving harmony for 26 years, and the son to them born an now attained to manhood and bearing the professional mantle of the departed father - these objects of his unwavering affection and subjects of his undying interest, have the consolation in their sad bereavement, to feel assured that the great public heart throbs in sympathy with their own sorrowing sensations.
     When I say that Dr. Mitchel was a justly esteemed and valuable citizen I only uter what many lips are ready to repeat. When I say that he was a success in his profession his numerous patrons are ready to emphasize the testimony. The members of the profession are ready to bear testimony to his honorable observance of the rules of etiquette belonging to the proctice. In a word, if the faults of each and every citizen was reckoned up in order, and numerically stated, Dr. J.H.(F) Mitchel's list would compare favorably with the best, the most faultless.
     He commenced the practice of medicine in Crothersville in 1860, but at the end of one year he removed to Dupont and remained till 1871, when he removed to Vernon. where he continued to reside the remainder of his natural life.
     His last illness was of brief duration and was diagnosed as blood poison. On Thursday evening he sank into a comatose condition and remained unconcious till the last. On Wednesday morning, Nov. 15, 1887, at 1:30 o'clock, his spirit departed and he rested from his labors and his works follow him. A favorite verse of scripture with him was the 18th of the 30th chapter of Isiah. It is worthy to be commented and remembered by the multitude of the living, and is a fitting conclusion to this brief sketch. "And therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of Judgement; Blessed are all they that wait for him." Amen. W.W.S.
Unfortunately this elaborate Memorial has his middle initial incorrect!

    Mitchel is a name connected to the very early settlement of Jennings County but I had not connected this James F. Mitchel to them. So I set about trying to track him back to his parents. Here is where Sarah G. McGannon finally comes into the picture. James F. Mitchel does not show up in a census at first until 1850 but his name comes up in the Ancestry Wills and Probate Records in the Will of a Walter C. Mitchel. Since James F. was born in 1837 and his Memorial states he "was left fatherless at 9 months" this fits. What is strange is that this Will was written and signed in 1837 but not recorded until 1857?

Will Record Book 1
     Be it remembered that on this 25th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven the following Will of Walter Mitchel deceased was Recorded in the Record of Wills in the clerks Office of the Jennings Court of Common Pleas at the Request of Walter Carson to wit
     I Walter C Mitchel of the county of Jennings and State of Indiana do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former will by me at anytime heretofore made, First I direct that my body be decently intered and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my Estate as it has pleased God to intrust me with I dispose of the same in the following manner to wit
I direct First that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first money that shall come into the hands of my executor from any portion of my Estate
Secondly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah G Mitchell Two bed steads beds and bedding one Cupboard and all the furniture belonging to the same one bureau one sett of chairs one table two wheels and reel and all my kitchen furniture one looking glass all my wool one Rocking Chair one Trunk one Stone churn one Three year old Sorrel mare bridle and Saddle one Red and white cow and all my sheep and fifty dozen of oats fifty bushels of corn and ten bushels of wheat and if my beloved wife should need for her support I give and bequeath one half of interest of all the money arising from the sale of my Estate both Real and personal to her
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my Son James Franklin Mitchell all the money arising from the Sale of my Estate both Real and personal except that which I have bequeathed to my beloved wife my personal property to be sold by my Executor on a credit of twelve months and my Real property to be Sold on a credit of two and three years to be paid in equal installments and the money so soon as it comes into the hands of my exicutor to be loaned at interest
Fourthly I authorize my executor to Raise and Educate my son James Franklin Mitchell out of the money arising from the Sale of my Estate giving him at least five years Schooling
Fiftly and if my son James Franklin Mitchell should die without issue I give and bequeath to my beloved wife all my Estate if she should be living to Effect this my intention I hereby vest my Executor with full power and authority to dispose of my Real Estate in fee simple in every respect as I could do if living and I hereby make and ordain my worthy and esteemed father in law Zachariah McGannon Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I Walter C Mitchell the testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this third day of August in the year of one thousand Eight hundred and Twenty?(should be 38) Eight
                Walter C. Mitchell {seal}
Signed Sealed and published by the above Walter C. Mitchell as his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto in the presence of the said testator and in the presence of Each other
                 John S Torbet
                 Joseph James
                 James McGannon
Attached to Said Will is the following certificate
State of Indiana} SS
Jennings County}
    Oath of John S Torbett and of the other witnesses to the within will
    You Solemnly Swear that you saw Walter C. Mitchell Sign seal and publish & declare this writing as his last will and testament that you believe he was at the time of its Execution of Sound mind and memory ant that you Signed your name tereto as a witness in the presence of the said testator and at his request So help you God
    Sworn to before me this 26th day of September 1838
                                John Walker Clerk

The excerpts below connect Walter C. Mitchel back to his father James Mitchel, and his sisters Mary Ann (Mitchel) McGannon and Louisa (Mitchel) Tweedy.

On motion Hugh McGannon is appointed Guardian of his infant daughter Sarah Ann McGannon to superintend manage or dispose of the real estate belonging to said infant from the estate of James Mitchell dec as to carry out the intention of the said James Mitchell in his will.

Zachariah McGannon Exector
of the Last will and Testament of
Walter C Mitchell dec
vs                              Bill for Discovery
Hugh McGannon Guardian Ad Litem
of Mary Ann McGannon infant &
Robert Tweedy Guardian Ad Litem of
Louisa Tweedy infant

     This day comes Zachariah McGannon Executor of the Last will and Testament of Walter C Mitchell Dec. & filed his bill for discovery against Mary Ann McGannon & Loisa Tweedy infants & upon his motion Hugh McGannon is appointed Guardian as Letim of Mary Ann McGannon infant & Robert Tweedy Guardian ad Letim of Loisa Tweedy infant and grant a supona for said Guardians to to appear at the next Term of this Court to make answer to the said Complaints Bill.

Zachariah McGannon Executor
vs          In Chancery
Robert Tweedy

    Now at this day comes the complainent and by his attorney and upon motion this cause is continued to the next term of this Court and a Supeona awarded and the complainent has leave to amend his Bill

Zacahriah McGannon
Executor of Walter C Mitchell dec.          Bill of Discovery
vs
Robert Tweedy & Hugh McGannon
Guardians
        And now comes the parties The complainent by Andrews the Respondent Robert Tweedy by Bullock and on motion of Repondents councel the Bill and Writ are dismissed at the cost of the Complainent
      It is therefore considered that the defendent Robert Tweedy of the said Complainent the sum of _______ for his costs in this behalf laid out and explained

Zachariah McGannon Executor       Bill of Discovery
of Walter C. Mitchell   dec.
       And now comes the complainent by his counsel and asks here to withdraw his vs.              pleas for Damages? ? ? to file his Bill in open Court and that this cause be Robert Tweedy & Hugh       continued until the next term of this court at complainents cost with ? for ? McGannon Guardians of ___complainent to ? the papers to ____ which motion is ? by the Court. To this decision of the court the counsel of the complainent accept is given until 2 oclock PM to file his bill of exception and Court adjourned until tomorrow morning at 8 oclock.

       And now comes Walter Carson one of the Executors of the Last Will and Testament of James Mitchell deceased and for final settlement of his administration brings into Court the receipt of Robert Tweedy and Sally W his wife late Sally W Mitchell and Hugh McGannon and Polly his wife and Walter C Mitchell the only heirs of the said James Mitchell in satisfaction of their respective portions as directed by said Will all of which has been examined by the Court and ordered on file.


    In the 1850 Census, Zachariah McGannon has in his household a boy age 12 named James F. Mithel (Mitchel).
    The Will and other documents excerpted from court records above has some important information for those that have worked on the family of Henry W. Dixon & Sarah G. his wife. The marriage records for Walter C. Mitchel and Sarah G. McGannon and for Henry W. Dixon and Sarah Mitchell pictured below.

Marriage of Walter C. Carson and Sarah G. McGannon, December 8, 1836


And a marriage of Henry W. Dixon & a Sarah Mitchell, March 11, 1847


I noticed in most on line trees the fact that Walter C. Mitchel and Sarah G. McGannon had a son who is missed (James Franklin Mitchel) this is due to him being raised by his grandfather Zachariah McGannon. So am putting this together to help get him added and add another small branch to the family tree. The marriage of Henry W. Dixon & Sarah G. McGannon had at least five children Martha Jane who married William A. McCurry, John C. who married Della Mae Gudgel, Zachariah C. who married Lillie Jackson, Benjamin F. who died young, and Lucy who never married and died in 1880.



    In the case of both Sarah G. & Lucy her daughter with Henry W. Dixon knowing the History and Geography of the area helps in determining how you can most effectively search for information on them. There were very strong ties between the little towns of Deputy (Jefferson County) and Paris & Paris Crossing in Jennings County. Families settled all along the Jennings/Jefferson County line in that area and news from Deputy was very likely to show up in Jennings County papers. It is only a little over 3 miles between the two towns and in the early days there were five roads between the populated areas. What is now Highway 3, two roads out of "Old" Paris and two out of Paris Crossing. Depending upon exactly where your ancestor lived they would have been around both towns frequently, met and worshiped, married and died with connections to those areas.


    Per Find A Grave - buried at Wiggam cemetery with marked graves Benjamin F. Dixon, Henry W. Dixon, John C. Dixon, Rachel D. Dixon, William Dixon, Without headstones - Zachariah Corwin Dixon, Henry S Dixon, Alcie (Wilson) Dixon. The two death notices I found for Sally (Sally is a common nickname for Sarah) & Lucy Dixon both state they were buried at Deputy. The main cemetery in Deputy is the Wiggam cemetery, this makes me pretty comfortable they are also buried there with the rest of the family but in graves that were never marked or the markers are no longer there.

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