ROBERT WILLIS MITCHELL

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p.

Robert Willis Mitchell

(Of Speed & Mitchell, Editors and Proprietors of the Southwest Mail).

   Robert W. Mitchell, a native-born citizen of Missouri, first saw the light in Clarke county on the 18th day of January, 1858.  His father, William C. Mitchell, was also born in this State, and during his lifetime was actively engaged in farming.  While a young man he married Miss Nannie P. Curd, who still survives, but he died while young Willis was but a boy.  The latter as the eldest of two children was reared to manhood in Montgomery and Ralls counties, securing for himself an education which has been of no inconsiderable importance in more recent years.  For some time he attended Montgomery College and also Westminster College, at Fulton, Mo., which institution he left with an excellent theoretical knowledge that soon received an addition of an invaluable practical experience.  When 19 years of age he had entered the field as a journalist, his first effort being as the publisher of a college paper, which was edited with real ability.  The first newspaper with which he was connected as the Chamois Leader, following which he became interested in the publication of the Ralls County Guide.  In 1883 he came to Nevada and in September, of that year, associated himself with Mr. R. B. Speed as one of the editors and proprietors of the Southwest Mail, a journal too well known throughout this and other portions of the State to need any words of comment.  In the sketch pertaining to the life of Mr. Speed which appears in another portion of this work reference at length has been given of the popularity and substantial worth of this most worthy newspaper, and the successful efforts of its proprietors in causing it to rank among the representative sheets of Missouri.  And no little credit is due Mr. Mitchell for the part he has taken in advancing its interests.  December 8, 1881, Miss Maggie Wellman became his wife, and to them two children have been born, Curd and Virgie.  Mrs. Mitchell is a native of Ralls county, Mo.

[Transcribed by Marty Patton]