The New Student's Reference Work/Mitchell, John

JOHN MITCHELL

Mitchell, John, was born in Braidwood, Will County, Ills., Feb. 4, 1869. His school education was limited to the years between six and ten. At 13 he began working in the coalmines. At 16 he moved to the western mines, still as a common miner. At that age he was eligible to join the Knights of Labor, and did so. He returned to Illinois in 1890. He had studied much at night, and had given one year largely to the study of law. But at this time he joined the miners' labor association, and it is there that he feels he received his real education. In 1895 he was elected to the secretary-treasurership of the local district of the United Mineworkers of America. In 1897 he was appointed an organizer, a very important office in those days, when the men had still to be taught the advantages of organization. Next year he was elected national vice-president of the order, and was acting president in 1898, when the trouble in the coal regions became acute. From 1899 until 1907 he served as national president of the United Mine workers, and in that period led the mineworkers through their two great struggles (1900 and 1902) for improved conditions. His judgment and honesty of purpose and his moderation were recognized; and he preserved the sympathy of the public for the striking miners. He has been second vice-president of the American Federation of Labor since 1900. He is an influential member of the National Civic Federation, serving on the executive committee of its industrial department.