The Chicago Plumbers: 52 Ancestors

The 1871 Chicago Fire has always been an abstract concept for me, as I thought my family didn't live in Chicago until after that date. With the recent discovery of the Mitchell family in Wisconsin came another discovery -- John T. Mitchell and his family were living in the 18th Ward of Chicago at the time of the fire.

John T. Mitchell was born to Peter Mitchell and Ann Taylor in Fife, Scotland, on October 7, 1827. By the time he was 13, he was a linen hand-loom weaver apprentice in Linktown. Sometime between 1849 and 1851, John came to America, first settling in Wisconsin. The 1860 census finds John farming in Monroe County, with his wife, Mary McGregor, and an unnamed son. When, in 1862, men eligible for military service were listed, John was still living in Monroe County.

By 1865, John and Mary had moved to Illinois. Anna had joined the family, being born in Illinois about 1864. Mary J. followed about 1866 and John Gavin Mitchell on June 23, 1868. The 1870 census shows that the eldest son had died and that John Mitchell's occupation was a plumber. Throughout the census years for the rest of his life, he was a plumber. John Gavin Mitchell followed his father into the trade, advancing to the position of a city plumbing inspector by 1910.

When the fire swept through Chicago on those horrible days in October of 1871, the Mitchell family was in its destructive path. Only one small corner of the 18th Ward was spared. Not having an address for the family, I don't know exactly the impact on them. However, the odds were against them and, no doubt, they fled in terror.

The 1900 census reveals that two of Mary McGregor Mitchell's four children were living. Which two? Choices are Anna, Mary and John.

The 1880 census tells us that Anna was living. John Gavin Mitchell is not with his parents. Had he died and they later took in an orphan? Or was he off with family for the summer? Was he in juvenile detention? Where was Mary J.? Had she married or had she died? What happened to Anna after 1880?

John T. Mitchell died on May 10, 1911, and was buried at the historic Rosehill Cemetery. Mary McGregor Mitchell followed on September 7, 1913. John Gavin Mitchell died on December 27, 1945, and was buried in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Having lost the threads for this branch of my family, this post is definite cousin bait. If you're related, please do contact me.