James H. Mitchell, lawyer and resident of Lawrence, is of Scotch lineage, his parents being of sturdy Scotch stock, although born in Ireland. He is a son of William J. and Martha (Mitchell) Mitchell. The father came to America in 1847, and the mother in 1849. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived there, where the father was a harness maker, until 1867, when they came to Kansas and settled on a farm in Douglas county, about six miles northwest of Lawrence. Here they resided until 1880, in which year they returned to Cincinnati and lived there for four years, then returning to their farm in Douglas county, where the mother died at the age of eighty-three years, but the father still resides on his farm, and is now ninety-four years of age. The parents were Scotch Covenanters in their native land, but in this country they became members of the United Presbyterian church. They reared five children—four sons and a daughter—to maturity. The late Hon. Alexander C. Mitchell, of Lawrence, was their son.

James H. Mitchell was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1862. He was reared on the farm, and attended the district schools. In Cincinnati he learned blacksmithing, and returned to Lawrence, where he began the practice of law. He began the study of law under his brother, Alexander C. Mitchell, and in 1893 graduated from the law department of the University of Kansas. From 1895 to 1900 he was in the legal department of the J. B. Watkins Mortgage Company. In 1900 he was elected probate judge of Douglas county, in which office he served with credit for six years. He is now city attorney for Lawrence, to which office he was appointed in 1909. He is a Republican in politics, and fraternally a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In church faith he is a Presbyterian. In 1896 he was united in marriage with Miss Virginia Baldwin, a daughter of Eben Baldwin, one of the highly esteemed citizens of Douglas county. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have two children—Margaret and Annie.