Hiram P. Mitchell, who has been a resident of Oneco Township for the last forty-seven years, occupies a comfortable home near the village limits, where, since 1873 he has been industriously cultivating the soil and bringing about such improvements as his needs suggested and his means justified. He first drew breath in Erie County, N. Y., March 15, 1839, and is the son of Ira and Betsey Winchell. He remained a member of the parental household until the outbreak of the late war, and then enlisted Sept. 10, 1861, in Co. A, 46th IL Vol. Inf., the parents in the meantime having become residents of this State, he went with his regiment to Camp Butler, where they remained for a time, and then proceeded to the scene of conflict. Our subject, with comrades was present in the battle at Ft. Donelson, the siege of Corinth, and afterward at the siege of Vicksburg, which consumed a period of some forty days. Following this was the fight at Jackson, Miss., and our subject afterward met the enemy in many of the important battles of the war, serving until the close, the last service being in the charge at Ft. Blakesly. The regiment was mustered out at Baton Rouge. La., whence they proceeded to Springfield, III., where they received their final discharge.

Our subject after being transformed from a soldier to a civilian returned to the home of his parents in Oneco Township, and rented his father's farm for the following seven years, after which he purchased his property. This is about half timber and half valley land, and from its proximity to the village of Oneco is quite valuable.

Mr. Winchell was married in 1868 at the home of the bride's parents in Clarno Township, Wis., to Miss Phoebe A., daughter of J, C. West, formerly of New York State, but then a resident of Clarno Township. Green Co., Wis. The early home of Mrs. Winchell was not far from that of her husband in Erie County, N. Y., where her birth took place Dec. 29, 1845. She was' consequently twenty-two years of age at the time of her marriage. Her father was a carpenter by trade, and her paternal grandfather, Mathew West, also a native of the Empire State, was there engaged in agricultural pursuits his entire life. They were of Scotch ancestry, and came to America in the early days, during the struggle of the Colonists for their liberty. Mrs. Winchell departed this life at her home in Oneco Township, Feb. 3, 1887, when forty-two years of age. The one daughter born of this marriage, Myrtle C. came to the household on Aug. 1, 1877, and continues with her father. Our subject, like his honored sire, is a stanch supporter of Republican principles.

Contributed by Christine Walters Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)