J. F. Mitchell, a prominent farmer of the Tenth District, was born in White County September 12, 1852, the fourth child of John W. and Hannah (Moore) Mitchell. They were English-Irish. The father was born in White County June 16, 1823. He was justice of the peace for fifteen or twenty years, a prosperous agriculturist and self-made man and a stanch Democrat. He died September 23, 1863. The mother was born in Van Buren County July 15, 1827, and died October 5, 1871. Both were respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and received a fair education in the country schools. He began farming for himself at the age of nineteen, and has since been quite successful. He is a worthy citizen and true Democrat. September 5, 1872, he married Nancy A., daughter of Joseph and Ann (Denny) Cummins. To them were born Willie, born June 17, 1873; Tobitha, born July 1, 1875; Joseph A., born September 28, 1877; Denny, born March 11, 1880, and Sallie J., born December 11, 1882. Mrs. Mitchell died January 14, 1883. Mr. Mitchell’s second marriage took place February 11, 1883, to Nettie, daughter of James and Loirje (Brown) Davis, of White County. By this union are two children: Bertha E., born November 28, 1883, and James W., born June 12, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source:   Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of the Counties of White, Warren, Coffee, DeKalb, and Cannon, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.