John Mitchell

John Mitchell, deceased, who was for thirty years a produce merchant of Montreal, was born at Dufftown, Scotland, in 1830, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 23d of November, 1904. His is a history of intense and well directed activity along the line in which he engaged. Educated in Scotland, he came to Quebec when sixteen years of age, having a brother, Robert, in this province. He made his entrance into business life as an employe of a Mr. Symes, a merchant; but after a short time he left the city of Quebec for Montreal at the solicitation of his uncle, Alexander Simpson, who was manager of the Bank of Montreal. Mr. Mitchell embarked in business in connection with others as a wholesale dealer in molasses, sugar and grain in the West Indies, but the business failed and for a short time thereafter Mr. Mitchell was a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Later he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but soon returned to Montreal and here engaged in the produce business in which he continued for thirty years, or until his death. He lived a quiet life, being modest and unassuming in manner, and his uprightness and his honorable qualities won him the admiration and respect of all.

Mr. Mitchell was married to Margaret Turner of Keith, Scotland, and they became the parents of two children: John Alexander, living near Edmonton, Canada; and Alice Margaret, who is a member of the editorial staff of the Montreal Weekly Star. In 1871 Mr. Mitchell was again married in the cathedral of Montreal to Miss Elizabeth Scott, a daughter of Dr. Alexander Scott, who came from Keith, Scotland, and practiced in Montreal, but died when his daughter, Mrs. Mitchell, was but five years of age. In later years Mrs. Scott lived with her daughter until her death. The children of Mr. Mitchell’s second marriage were four in number, of whom two are living: Walter Scott, a resident of Sorrento, Notch Hill, British Columbia; and Charles Stewart, who is with the Ogilvie Flour Mills Company of Montreal.

The family attend the First Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Mitchell was a devout member. He was also one of the founders of the St. James Club and one of the original members of the Thistle Curling Club. While quiet and unassuming in manner, the circle of his friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, a fact indicative of an honorable and well spent life.