Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 4 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 15

In these days of strenuous effort the man who hopes to acquire success in any calling must be one of brains and persistency, with a thorough knowledge of the work to which he is devoting his attention, and such a man is Jasper E. Mitchell of Fresno. He was born in Kansas, October 12, 1876, a son of Edgar R. and Cynthia (Hayes) Mitchell, natives of Illinois and Missouri, respectively, and who became the parents of three children. The family left Kansas in 1877, emigrating westward and for about sixteen years resided in Colorado, then in 1893 continued their journey to the Pacific Coast and settled in Tulare County, Cal. It was about eighteen months later that they made their way into Fresno County, where the elder Mitchell engaged in the livery business, with the other two sons, E. R.. jr., and F. H. Here they continued four years, then left and the father now resides in Fresno where he is engaged in the real estate business.

At the age of one year Jasper E. Mitchell was taken by his parents to Colorado, where he grew up and received his schooling until he was about seventeen, when he accompanied the family to California. Here he began to learn an entirely new business, then in its infancy in this state, that of fruit-growing, buying, packing and selling. So well did he succeed that he went into partnership with J. Ed. Mitchell, remaining in this business for two years, until 1907, under the name of Mitchell & Mitchell, and were well known and successful.

In 1907, J. E. Mitchell quit the fruit business and became a general contractor, specializing in roads and bridges, and he has handled road construction work in various sections on the state highways. Some of his contracts are: The Kings River state highway in Sierra County; the Sierra and Downieville road; the Humboldt and Trinity state road; Redwood Park road in Santa Cruz County; and one of the finest pieces of concrete work in the state, which was under his supervision, the Burrel bridge. In Fresno County alone he has executed over 2,300 contracts ranging from a 10-inch pipe to Lane's Bridge, the largest in the county. Among the more important contracts handled by Mr. Mitchell are the following: Lane's Bridge, over the San Joaquin: the rebuilding of the large concrete bridge east of Sanger over Kings River; the bridge north of Reedley; Centerville bridge; Burrel bridge, all three over the Kings River; and the rebuilding of the Herndon bridge over the San Joaquin. These are all in Fresno County. Some of the outside contracts are the concrete bridge over Eel River; one over Mad River in Humboldt County; and the bridge over the South Fork of the Eel in Trinity.

It must not be inferred that Mr. Mitchell has devoted his time to business affairs alone, for he has done his share of public service and as a deputy county clerk became well known throughout the county; he also served as a deputy sheriff and in other ways has been of service to his fellow citizens. There has been no movement put forward to bring Fresno County before the world at large but what he has always been found in the van.

The marriage of J. E. Mitchell with Miss Bessie Rutherford was celebrated December 10, 1903, and they have two children, Dwight Elbert and Elva Lenona, to brighten their home circle, and who with their parents enjoy the esteem of a wide circle of friends. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Woodmen of the World; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; the B. P. O. Elks; the Commercial Club; and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a Republican in national affairs but is non-partisan in local issues, always seeking what is best for the majority. Their home at 206 Strother Avenue, Kearney Boulevard Heights, built on modern lines, is ever open with that true hospitality known only to the Californians.