Dr. Mitchell was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., on January 2, 1878. His parents were William and Alice Mitchell, who lived on the farm. The boy grew to young manhood on the farm, and it is safe to say had no easy time of it. The school facilities were poor enough at best and he was not in position to avail himself of what meager opportunities there were, as he had to work pretty steadily on the farm. So he was a grown man before he made much progress in books. When he became of age he left the farm and went to work in the mines of West Virginia. He also started to night school. He at one time thought to study law, but later decided to enter dentistry. He went to Bluefield Colored Institute four years for his literary and preparatory work. When ready for his dental course, he matriculated at Meharry Dental College, Nashville, and won his D.D. degree in 1910. Each summer vacation he would return to work in the mines and was thus able to make his way through to graduation. He had already seen the possibilities of Bluefield and on completion of his course began the practice in that growing center, where he has since resided and has prospered.
He belongs to the various Medical and Dental organizations, including the local or Flat Top, the State and the National.
On June 9, 1909, Dr. Mitchell married Miss Maggie K. Marshall, of Ronceverte, W. Va. They have six children; Thelma, Irma, Vera, Coryun, Hazel and Dorothula Mitchell.
Dr. Mitchell is a Republican in politics, and among the secret and fraternal orders belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He is Grand Master of the York Rite Masons of West Virginia. In religion he is a Baptist and in his local church is a deacon and chairman of the finance committee. Dr. Mitchell has been a careful observer of conditions and believes the next forward step for colored people to take is along the line of cooperation.