MISS ELIZABETH E. MITCHELL

Miss Elizabeth Mitchell was born in Lucas County, Iowa in 1851 and came to Osceola with her family in 1866.  At the age of 16 she started teaching country school near Jamison.  She gained such education as was possible in a pioneer community by attending public school and later the subscription schools under the tutorage of Professor Scott, a teacher of much ability.

The building of the railroad through Osceola in the late 1860’s had tended to boom the town.  School population increased to such an extent that all departments were crowded.  There were ninety-nine children enrolled in Miss Mitchell’s Primary room.  She earned a state certificate to teach, hers was among the first in Clarke County.

Miss Mitchell taught for a total of thirty eight consecutive years in Osceola schools.  She held the record in the state in point of the number of consecutive terms taught and the length of time for which she had been identified with the schools of one city. She had a large connection to the M.E. Church where she taught Sunday School classes for more than fifty years. She was a member of P.E.O. and active in the Chautauqua Circle.

After quitting the school room in 1906 she conducted Miss Mitchell’s, a millinery store on the southwest side of the square, selling hats, and corsets made to order.  Miss Mitchell’s was an agency for the famous reasonably priced Case corsets made for comfort and durability. Miss Mitchell also had in her store new things in fancy work, embroidery, pillow tops, guest towels, and table scarves.  She operated the store for twelve years.

Miss Mitchell retired from active business life in 1918. She died in 1923 at the age of 71 following a half-century of unselfish services to the community.