Submitted by: Robin Sterling

The Haleyville Advertiser-Journal, November 5, 1931

Uncle Andrew D. Mitchell Dies.

Dies Suddenly While Walking In His Cotton Field At the Age of 85.

Walking in his cotton field near the home where he has lived perhaps for half a century, “Uncle” Andrew D. Mitchell was suddenly stricken down and was carried back to the house on a cot last Tuesday morning and died without regaining consciousness.

Although he was past 85 yet the news of his death was a shock to his friends (and he had no enemies), as the news spread Tuesday morning over town.

Only two or three years ago he lost his faithful wife who had been his helpmeet for over 60 years. Brother Mitchell was in town last Saturday and a week before had attended a football game at Bear Creek when Haleyville High played Phillips High. It was the second game he had ever attended but having nephews and nieces in both schools they had prevailed on him to come.

Andrew Mitchell has been a true Marion county citizen and also a strong and active friend and admirer of Haleyville. He was a charter member and father of the Haleyville Lodge of Masons and was their Worshipful Master for many, many years. Those who have only known him for the last ten or twenty years cannot realize the active useful man he was when in the full strength and vigor of his manhood. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have a high incentive to follow in the steps of this worthy patriarch.

He was laid to rest in the Thornhill church yard by the Lodge he loved and honored on Wednesday, November 4th, and was carried to the grave by six of his grandsons. The Rev. C.E. Holt, of Florence, conducted the church service and he was laid to rest by Haleyville Lodge No. 464 A.F. & A.M. with Post Master H.B. Foster filling the Master’s station.

He is survived by three sons, Attorney Charles Mitchell, of Hamilton, Andrew J. Mitchell, of Haleyville and Dr. Lang Mitchell, of Stillwater, Okla., and by several daughters. The attendance at the funeral was very large and the floral offerings were both many and beautiful.

“Uncle” Mitchell was a charter stockholder of the Traders and Farmers Bank, a veteran of the Civil War, an active man in politics, having been nominated as a candidate for Congress by the Republican party of the State, an intelligent and successful farmer, who by thrift, hard work and honest business methods accumulated a nice competency. He was a warm friend to those who were worthy and a trusted advisor to all. He did not allow politics to blind him but tried to find out which side was right and voted accordingly.

He, like many others from the hills of North Alabama, fought in the Union army and married immediately at the close of the war, (perhaps before he was mustered out) to a Miss Cagle and a few years ago before her death, they celebrated their 60th wedding day.

The Haleyville Advertiser-Journal, November 12, 1931

Andrew D. Mitchell. Last week we recorded the death and funeral of Mr. Andrew Mitchell. We gave a few detailed from memory of this fine citizen who had spent some 70 years in this community.

We have since learnt that he was born in Cherokee County, Ga., and moved to Winston County when he was 11 years old. In 1861 when 16 years of age he joined the Union army and served in Company L of the First Alabama Cavalry. He married before being mustered out of the army. He first lived at the Mitchell place near Amos and south of Ashridge and after the war moved to Thornhill where he lived until he died.

He joined the Masons 53 years ago in Pleasant Site Lodge, near the old Allen Factory, and later, with a few others, organized the Haleyville Lodge of which he was Master for 16 years and also again at other times.

He is survived by three sons, Charley, of Hamilton, Jack, of Haleyville and Dr. Lang, of Stillwater, Okla., and by five daughters, Mrs. Belle Wiggington, of Hackleburg; Mrs. Ella Dickinson, Miss Mindie Mitchell, Mrs. Laura Hulsey and Mrs. Susie Crow, of Haleyville.

Haleyville never had a truer friend that Uncle Andrew Mitchell.

Picture was taken when he was a candidate for Congress against Richmond P. Hobson