David Mitchell was born in Sciota county Ohio, October 7, 1804 and moved from his native place to Putnam county, Illinois, in September 1835 settling on what is called Round Prairie, six miles east of the town of Lacon, on the Illinois river. In 1838 he came to Albany, being one of the earliest settlers of that place, where he remained until he purchased his farm in Garden Plain. Mr. MITCHELL married his first wife, Miss Harriet MURPHY in Sciota county Ohio May 31 1827. The children by this marriage were; Thurmutie Amanda born May 6, 1828; Mary Jane born December 12, 1829; William Luther, born September 23, 1831; Abraham David born January 10 1834 and John Calvin born February 12 1836. Mrs. MITCHELL died December 21 1837. On the 25th day of September 1838, Mr. MITCHELL married Miss Isabella WORK, his second wife, he children by this marriage being; Margaret Elizabeth born October 19, 1842; and Martha, October 21 1844. Of the children by the first marriage, Mary Jane died November 14 1863 aged thirty four years. Thurmuthie Amanda married John HUDSON at Lacon, Marshall County Illinois, December 12 1848 and resides in Fulton; Mary Jane married Daniel F GEORGE at Garden Plain in September 1851 and died as above mentioned. The husband and children are living in Garden Plain. William Luther married Miss Margaret E BLEAN December 13, 1859 and resides in Newton. Abraham D married Miss Mary MURPHY at Garden Plain December 11, 1867 and resides in Fulton. John C married Miss Carrie VAN ETTEN of Sidney Iowa August 22, 1864 and resides in Fulton. Of the children of the second marriage, Margaret Elizabeth died August 19 845. Martha married Dr. Alex COZAD December 11 1867 and resides at Andulasia Rock Island County Illinois. Mr MITCHELL died December 27, 1850 and his widow in January 1864. During his lifetime, Mr MITCHELL took a very prominent part in the affairs of the county, being the first County Treasurer, serving from 1839 to 1841, and was afterwards for a number of years a member of the County Commissioners Court. In both of these positions he displayed an ability of a high order, and in the latter, especially, aided very much by his clear judgment and keen foresight in placing Whiteside county in a condition to ensure the future growth and prosperity which it has attained. Such men are needed at the helm at the incipient stages of a municipality, county or commonwealth, to steer clear of the breakers into which reckless or misguided hands are sure to run the governmental craft. Mr. Mitchell was also engaged in connection with his brother Samuel, for quite a period, in conducting the ferry between Albany and Camanche. His farm in Garden Plain was situated on section 9 on the Fulton and Albany road, and is now owned by his son, Ald. A D MITCHELL of Fulton. His death, occurring as it did when he was in the prime of life was widely mourned.

Bent & Wilson - History of Whiteside County Page 215