William Mitchell was born near Mount Vernon in
Knox County, Ohio. His birth year is disputed. Some sources claim 1828 or 1829, and other sources claim it was 1830. William was the oldest of nine children born to Rev. John Mitchell and Anne (Ogden) Mitchell. During the
Civil War, Mitchell was employed as a teacher in Ohio. He left the classroom and served as a captain in Company A of the
96th Ohio Infantry Regiment. In 1889, William Mitchell became the first Superintendent of Public Instruction for North Dakota. During his short time in office, he became well liked and respected. During his long career as an educator, he worked as a teacher, college professor, instructor, city superintendent, State Examiner, county superintendent, and State Superintendent. He also had experience in the legal field. On the evening of March 10, 1890, William Mitchell died suddenly of heart failure at his residence on Second Street in
Bismarck, North Dakota. His deputy,
Frederick W. Cathro, became interim superintendent until
William J. Clapp was appointed to complete Mitchell's term in office. William Mitchell is buried at Mound View Cemetery in
Mount Vernon, Ohio. ==See also==