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Biography George Mitchell

George Mitchell (1859-1955) immigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1875. He worked as a surveyor for the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad before going to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1879. He worked as a ranch hand on the HR Ranch near Wheatland, Wyoming, in the early 1880s and around 1888 became one of the first settlers in Casper, Wyoming, and served as its first mayor. He owned the Wyoming Lumber Company in Casper from 1888-1892. In 1894, he bought the HR Ranch, where he lived the rest of his life, and in 1896, he incorporated the Mitchell Cattle Company. In addition to his cattle business, Mitchell served as president of the Stock Growers Bank of Wheatland for twenty-eight years; was trustee, vice president, and treasurer of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (1908-1931); and was a charter member and later president of the Laramie County (Wyoming) Cattle and Horse Growers Association. He participated in Democratic Party politics, serving as a member of the Wyoming territorial legislature in 1886 and the Wyoming House of Representatives in 1935, and he was a member of the Democratic State Committee for many years.

Scope and Content

The collection consists primarily of business records, including numerous ledgers and bills and receipts. Also included is correspondence, clippings, a scrapbook with photographs of Mitchell and his family and friends, a map, and a few other assorted items.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

George Mitchell papers, University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Roger Simon, August 2017.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Ruth Mitchell Fancher in 1957.

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by George Mitchell as of the date of processing.

Access Terms

Banks and banking -- Wyoming -- Wheatland.

Casper (Wyo.) -- History.

Cattle trade -- Wyoming -- Platte County.

Cattle trade -- Wyoming.

Democratic Party (Wyo.). State Committee.

HR Ranch (Wyo.)

Horse industry -- Wyoming.

Journals (bookkeeping records)

Laramie County Cattle and Horse Growers Association.

Ledgers.

Livestock brands -- Wyoming.

Lumber trade -- Wyoming -- Casper.

Mitchell Cattle Company.

North Laramie Ditch Company.

Photographs.

Politics, Practical -- Wyoming.

Ranches -- Wyoming -- Platte County.

Scrapbooks.

Stock Growers Bank of Wheatland.

W & S Lumber Company.

Wheatland (Wyo.) -- History.

Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918.

Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945.

Wyoming -- History -- 1946-1999

Wyoming -- History -- To 1889.

Wyoming -- Politics and government.

Wyoming Lumber Company.

Wyoming Stock Growers Association.

Bankers.

Ranchers.

Container List

Series I. Biographical 

Series II. Business and Financial 

Series III. Correspondence 

Series IV. General