Edward Mitchell

Edward Mitchell was born in this city, the son of a distinguished judge, was educated in our schools and at Columbia in both the college and law school. He was in the sanitary service during the Civil War, began with the practice of his profession in 1865 and speedily rose to eminence in both public life and at the bar. Twice he lead [sic] the forlorn hopes of his party, was for a term assemblyman, was district attorney of the United States for five years and for a term commissioner of parks. But his most important service to the community was as a trustee of his university for nearly thirty years. To the high duties of that place he gave his great ability, an untiring, unremitting, faithful, conscientious service. His reading and study in connection with the financial and academic sides of education were extensive and fertile, his counsel was weighty and influential. For thirty-seven years he had been of our number, when taken from us in his sixtieth year [sic: sixty-seventh]. His quality was fine and his companionship delightful. He found congenial friends here and his high breeding, cheerful presence and strong character are sorely missed.

William Milligan Sloane
1910 Century Association Yearbook