Transcribed from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar.

Mitchell, Alexander C., lawyer and Congressman, was born in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1860. Before he had completed the course in the public schools of his native city, his parents removed to Kansas and located at Lawrence, where Mr. Mitchell passed the remainder of his life. He attended the public schools in Lawrence until he was prepared to enter the University of Kansas, graduating in the law department of that institution as a member of the class of 1889. For four years he was deputy city attorney, after which he was city attorney for a similar period of time, and for six years he was a member of the board of regents of the state university. His qualifications as a lawyer led to his appointment to a place on the board of law examiners, and he served in that capacity for three years. In 1906 he was nominated by the Republicans of the 13th district in Douglas county for representative in the state legislature, and in November he was elected. His record commended him to his constituents and in 1908 he was reëlected. While in the legislature he was chairman of the good roads committee and assisted in making the first effective "rock roads law" ever passed by the general assembly of the state. He was the author of the bill abolishing capital punishment; drafted the law permitting judges of the district courts to parole prisoners; fought for the primary election law; was influential in securing the passage of the two-cent fare law, and directed the movement that led to important changes in the juvenile court law. In 1910 he went into the primary campaign as the progressive Republican candidate for Congress in the Second district, defeated Charles F. Scott for the nomination, and in November was elected. During this campaign he made a vigorous fight, and, having been a sufferer from cancer of the stomach for about two years, his health failed to such a degree that when Congress was called in extra session in April, 1911, he was barely able to get to Washington. Mr. Mitchell took his seat in Congress and cast one vote which was in favor of the bill for reciprocity with Canada. After a short stay in Washington he returned to his home in Lawrence, where he died on July 7, 1911. In 1890 Mr. Mitchell married Miss Helen M. Baldwin of Lawrence, who survives him.

Page 295 from volume II of Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc. ... / with a supplementary volume devoted to selected personal history and reminiscence. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago : 1912. 3 v. in 4. : front., ill., ports.; 28 cm. Vols. I-II edited by Frank W. Blackmar. Transcribed July 2002 by Carolyn Ward.