Mitchell Sheboygan Press April 29, 1927 History of the Town Mitchell Part 2 Population Grows In 1848, the tide of immigration set in strongly and steadily in this direction. Most of the newcomers being Irishmen, who still form the predominant population of the town, although with the past two or three years, numerous Russian families have settled in the northwestern part of the township. In 1849, the town was organized with the present town of Lyndon. B. F. TROWBRIDGE was elected the first chairman of the board of supervisors. In 1850, the township was independently organized under the name of "Olio" and the following officers were elected: Patrick DONAHUE, chairman; William E. AKIN and William AUSTIN, supervisors; C. W. HUMPHREY, town clerk and superintendent of common schools; Stephen GRAY, treasurer; and Peter PRESTON, assessor. The total number of votes cast was 47. The justices of the peace elected did not qualify. In 1851 the name of the town was changed to Mitchell, as a token of respect to John Mitchell, the Irish patriot, and in commemoration of his efforts in 1848 to relieve his downtrodden countrymen. The Potash Kettles run diagonally through the town from northeast to southwest, dividing it into two portions of nearly equal extent. In the eastern part of the valley are several large springs. Many Good Farms There are few farms in the town where a 20-acre field of uniform soil can be found, though it is mainly calcareous and clay marl, light colored when first plowed, but grows darker on exposure to the atmosphere. It is much more productive than its color indicates. Despite the unfavorable condition of the soil and the rugged topography of the district, there are many very good and productive farms located in the township. The only village settlement is Parnell, which consists of only one store and two hotels, and a blacksmith shop. The first hotel was built by John DOWLING, and the second, known as the East Side Hotel, by John MANLEY for his father-in-law, John LINDSAY. James REILLY established the first blacksmith shop. The first cheese factory in the town was built for Jeremiah REED and was located a short distance east of Parnell. St. Michael's Catholic church was established in 1860 by the Rev. Patrick PETTIT, as a Mission of St. Mary's church at Cascade. The first building used as a house of worship is still standing, being utilized as a garage. Rathbun First Post Office Rathbun was the first post office to be established in the town. The first school house was also located there. The second school was a log house rolled up in 1851 on the town line between the towns of Mitchell and Scott. Miss Maggie HUNT was the first to teach in this school and the second teacher was Miss Eliza LANE. The only mill ever located in the town was a sawmill put up by Albert ROUNSEVILLE, on the Spring Farm, Section 10. This mill was built in the late 50's, and after running it until 1867, ROUNSEVILLE sold the outfit to William TROWBRIDGE, who, a few years later, re-sold it to a man named KRUEGER. George THACKRAY started the first general store at Rathbun a short time before the post office was established there, and he was appointed the first postmaster. Thomas BURKE later built a store in Rathbun, and after conducting it for a few years, sold to Pat SLATTERY, who turned the store over to his brother Dan when he started a garage at Adell.