Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM BAIRD MITCHELL
W. B. MITCHELL. Not only as a successful contractor and
builder is W. B. Mitchell remembered in San Jose, but also as a citizen who
made his efforts to accomplish a personal success parallel with his desire to
increase the general welfare of the community in which he made his home. A
descendant of a sturdy New England family, he was born in Boston, Mass.,
inheriting those qualities which have made the New Englander a desirable
acquisition to any community. In youth he took up the trade of a carpenter and
builder in his native state, remaining there until 1860, when with his bride,
formerly Carrie P. Briard, a native of
Jefferson, Me., and daughter of William and Sarah (Shepard) Briard,
he made the trip to California. They settled in San Jose, Santa Clara county, and here established their first home.
Mr. Mitchell at once entered upon his trade and in the years that followed
assisted materially in the upbuilding of the city. Thirty years ago he built
the residence now the home of Mrs. Mitchell, and later built the two double
houses, which she also owns. When they first located in San Jose, just opposite
this home was a cow pasture, in the center of which was a large pool of water.
This hole was later filled up and the ground leveled by Mr. Mitchell and
to-day it is the site of one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, that
of the high school, which is an attractive place with its well-kept lawns and
shade trees. The land adjoining this is also that of a fine residence quarter
of the city, many of the residences being the work of Mr. Mitchell.
To Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell was born one daughter,
Annie, who became the wife of D. C. Vanarsdell,
a prominent rancher of Santa Clara county.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 14 November 2015.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page
891. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marie
Hassard.