Edward J Mitchell (1849 - 1923)
Veteran American Civil War, Fenian Volunteer
Edward
J Mitchell was born on July 10, 1849 in Rutland, VT
and his family moved to Yonkers,
NY when he was six years old. From an Irish Catholic
family he was educated in Yonkers parochial schools
and worked in his early teens in the Eagle Hat
factory.
When the Civil War began his father Thomas enlisted in the 17th New York Infantry, the Westchester Chasseurs, and was away from the family for two years. In 1864 after his mother died, Edward wanted to join the army. His father was able to stop him from enlisting twice but two months before his fifteenth birthday he managed to enlist in Company E of 37th New Jersey Infantry. He fought in the trenches of Petersburg until the unit was mustered out on October 1, 1864.
After the war, Mitchell became involved in the Fenian movement, a group of Irish nationalists who conspired to invade Canada and ransom it for Ireland’s freedom. He took part in the abortive invasion of Canada in the summer of 1866, making it as far as Malone, NY before the scheme collapsed.
He was employed at the Otis Elevator Company and then extensively involved in the Yonkers fire department serving in Protection Engine Company #1. He was also active for decades as a member of Kitching Post #60 of the Grand Army of the Republic, serving as Grand Marshall of Yonkers’ Fourth of July parade in 1894 and heading the Memorial Day committee for years.
An active Democrat, Mitchell was elected alderman, coroner and President of the Common Council and was responsible for the city of Yonkers acquiring the waterfront area which now includes Esplanade Park. He was an active member of the Yonkers Athletic Club and the Yonkers City Club. In addition, he and many of Yonkers Irishmen was a member of the Montgomery Club a social club that was a front for Clan na Gael, the Irish Republican group that emerged from the collapse of the Fenians.
When he died on January 15, 1923 he was buried with full military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. Years later he was reinterred in a family plot in Oakland Cemetery in Yonkers.
Su8bmitted by James McGlashin
cemetery AND grave location
Name: Oakland Cemetery Section 10 Plot 406
ADDRESS: 2 Saw Mill River Road, Yonkers, New York 10701
HEADSTONE
Source: findagrave.com --- Erin Nikitchyuk
