Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1887 — A BUSY LIFE ENDED. [ARTICLE]

A BUSY LIFE ENDED.

Alexander Mitchell, the Milwaukee Millionaire, Fxpires in a New Tork Hotel. Brouchial Tronb'.es and Heart Disease Cause l.Ys Death, Which Is Rather Sudden. • [New York special. I Alexander Mitchell, President of the Cl icago, Milwaukee A St. Paul Railroad, died at his rooms in the Hoffman House, in this city, on Tuesday afternoon. He hud-been been gradually losing strength for two months, but the illness which resulted in his death began only a week ago. Mr. Mitchell some months ago determined to withdraw from active business pursuits, and Dec. 1 last, accompanied by Rev. Dr. Kean, his old pastor, he started from Milwaukee in his private car for a trip to his winter home, in Florida, whither Mrs. Mitchell had gone some time before. At his magnificent place, “Villa Alexandria,” just at the head of tho St. John; River, he devoted himself to the pleasures of. a winter resort, spending much time out of doors and getting far more exercise than he had ever had before. Yet, although, he seemed to be in the best of spirits, he steadily lost flesh. He had always been one of the most methodical of men, and the chance told on him. Three weeks ago Mr. Mitchell and Dr. Kean left Florida, reaching this city April 2, and going immediately to the Hoffman House. Two days later Mr. Mitchell complained of feeling unwell and developed ftverish symptoms, but he soon recovered and was able to go down town, although the feverish condition returned at in'ervals. His son, John L. Mitchell, had joined him in tie meantime, and with his 6on and a a party of friends Mr. Mitchell heard Patti sing at the Metropolitan Opera House last Wednesday night. Sitting in the front of the box he was probably exposed to a draft, for before the last act he complained of illness and left the opera house. So weak was he when his carriage reached the hotel that he had to be assisted to his room. After that he never left his bed. Dr. Edward Bradley, his physician, found that he was suffering from a malarial trouble and bronchial pneumonia, from which he failed to rally. He sunk info a stale of coma Monday evening, and never recovered consciousness. Death resulted from asphyxia, caused by bronchial pneumonia. Alexander Mitcholl was bom Oct. 18, 1817, in the parish ol Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father was a farmer, and the early days of the future financier were pasaed in tho same avocation, ior two years he studied law at Aberdeen, and then went into a bank at Peterhead and remained there nntil he came to Milwaukee in May, 18(9, when, in company with George Smith, of Chicago, he organized the Wisconsin Marine and lire Insurance Company, an institution that was in reality a bank, although not called one on account of tho law then in force. The bills of this company were the only reliable paper currency the Territory hail for many years, lyet despite the times every dollar was redeemed when presented. It is as a managsr and promoter of railroads that the deceased was best known to the world, he having been for years at the head of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Company, a corporation that controls more miles ot road than any other iu the world. Politically Mr. Mitchell was originally a Whig, then he joined tbe Republicans in electing Lincoln and prosecuting the war, afterward joining with the Democrats in support .of President Johnson. Since then his party sent him to Congress in 1870 and 1872, and w ould havo continued him there had he not declined further office. He was ono of the delegates that nominated Mr. Tilden, and was one of his most ardent supporters. In 1879 the Democrats wanted him io he a candidate for Governor, hut he declined. Mr. Mitchell is survived by a wife, a son, John L., an adopted daughter, Mrs. Dr. Mackie of this city, and a sister and brother living in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Mr. Mitchell s estate is variously estimated at from tie,090,000 to 525,000,000,