Philander David Mitchell of Texas County, Missouri

Judge Philander Davis Mitchell, farmer, and judge of Texas County, Mo., was born in White County, Tenn., June 1, 1827, being a son of Spencer and Mary M. (Lewis) Mitchell, who were born in Virginia and Tennessee, April 8, 1804, and November 9, 1808, respectively. Spencer Mitchell moved to Tennessee with his parents when a boy, where he grew to manhood, married, and throughout life followed the occupation of farming. He became a resident of Texas County, Mo., in 1834, the town of Licking then consisting of two houses, and held a number of offices in the county, such as justice of the peace, sheriff and collector. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, he being a Presbyterian in belief. Judge Philander Davis Mitchell is the eldest of their ten children, and received a fair education in the old subscription schools of early times. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself, and March 24, 1853, was married to Miss Mary L. Halbert, who is a native of Texas County, born November 30, 1832. Their five children’s names are as follows: Travis B., Spencer E., Frances M., Mary E. and Philander H. Since their marriage they have resided on their present farm, which consists of 600 acres, with about 125 acres under cultivation, and besides this property he has given his children good farms. All his property has been acquired by his own good management and industry, and he deserves much credit for the success which has attended his efforts. He was justice of the peace for four years before the war, and during that struggle served for about six months in the Missouri State Guard, and toward the close of the war served about the same length of time in the regular Confederate army. He is a Democrat politically, and since 1886 has served as judge of Texas County. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he has been Worthy Master of the Masonic lodge two terms.