Mitchell - Jane Smith
Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Jan 29, 1926
Jane Smith Mitchell, widow of Henry Mitchell, died at her home in Prairie Township, Warren County, Indiana, Jan 12, 1926, at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 25 days. She emigrated to the US of America in the summer of 1864, with the family of John Mitchell, father of Ingram, Samuel, Jennie, Mary, Essie, John Jr and Archie Mitchell from Bailisborough, Caven Co, Ireland and landed at David Meharry's Shawnee Mound, Tippecanoe Co, In. She went immediately to the home of Hugh Meharry and engaged in the work of domestic and learned the art of cooking and housekeeping as is done in every well ordered home in Indiana. Henry Mitchell, brother of John, emigrated to America about 1860 and landed at Delavan Co, Wisconsin from thence he came to Shawnee Mound and marr. Jane Byrnes Hawthorn, widow of John Hawthorn and mother of George B. and Jesse M. Hawthorn. On May 24, 1864, Jane Hawthorn Mitchell died and left Henry Mitchell with two small boys 12 and 10, in hand. In the fall of 1864 he decided to find another helpmate and he chose for his second wife, Jane Smith, then about 22 and the subject of this obituary. They continued to live on the old homestead at Shawnee Mound where they took an interest in the welfare of the community and Church work, both becoming members of Shawnee Church. In the Spring of 1867, under the influence of the Francis' and Greenburgs, they were induced to buy the farm just E. of them then known as the community farm, owned by Dan Sigler, Prairie Township, Warren County. Here they took up the duties of pioneer life on March 1, 1867 with George and Jesse Hawthorn, orphan boys in their home. Many, many were the hardships and privations of the pioneers in those days. Rainsville was the nearest postoffice. Attica the best and nearest market. College Corner the nearest place where Church and Sun. School were held. Marshfield and Danville the nearest place to get coal. By and by the Lake Erie & Wester RR was built. Also the CE & I crossing at a point where the beautiful town of Hoopston now stands. Boswell, Ambia, and Talbot were soon located and then the Grand Prairie began to blossom and is now one of the garden spots of the state and all these things have been produced since Jane Mitchell landed in Prairie township. The following children have come into this home: Archie Mitchell, born Sept 8, 18676; died Dec 3, 1912. Will Mitchell of Waveland, born April 15, 1871. Mary Henry of Waveland, born April 16, 1868. George Mitchell of Hoopston, Ill, born Aug 10, 1873. Maggie, born Sept 22, 1878, died Dec 23, 1911; and last, John, born Sept 9, 1881 who has lived with his mother and will be the one to miss her the most. Henry Mitchell passed on Oct 9, 1885 and left her a widow with the care of six children on her hands. She also has 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren to mourn her loss. About 1870 a new school house was built on the David Crawford land, W. of the community farm now owned by his daughter, Jessie Crawford Butler and under the nfluence of Rev. David Crawford and Will T. Evans, a Sun. School and Church were established in said school house. Religious revivals were here held and it was named Prairie Chapel. This was the place where all the pioneers worshipped and here where the society originated that finally became Locust Grove. Here in this city of the dead lie the remains of her husband and also the majority of all the pioneer neighbors. And now with loving hands her neighbors, friends and children lay her body away, committing her soul to God who gave it - transcribed by kbz