Jennie St. John Mitchell, born in 1833, was the wife of General Robert B. Mitchell and the daughter of Henry St. John, a member of Congress from Ohio. Married in January 1855, the Mitchells moved from Ohio to Paris, Linn County, Kansas, in October 1856 and moved into a log house. Interestingly, the James Montgomery house, where John Brown was supposedly a frequent visitor, was located nearby. Mrs. Mitchell was later active in the interests of the state of Kansas, being appointed to the Board of Lady Managers to help organize the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. She spent considerable time traveling the state, forming county societies to gather material for a state exhibit.

Her husband, Colonel Robert B. Mitchell, led the 2nd Kansas Infantry at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, where he was wounded; later he was promoted to general and served as Chief of Cavalry, Army of Cumberland. After the war, Mitchell was appointed governor of the New Mexico Territory.

Carte-de-Visite by Cadwallader’s, Maysville, Ky.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31906