Mitchell, Tom JP

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Mitchell, Tom JP

Watercolour portrait of Tom Mitchell JP

from John Sowden's notebooks:

"Was born at Bradford in 1853, educated at Saint Peter’s School, York. While quite young he took up a position with Messrs Mitchell Bros, the firm founded in the early part of last century by his grandfather, and conducted at the time of his entry by his father (Mr Abraham Mitchell).

Later Mr Tom Mitchell became a member of the firm and at the time of his death was chairman of the board of directors of Mitchell Bros Limited, the concern having been converted into a private liability company in 1909. For many years Mr Mitchell was a member of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce - his services were often enlisted in the arbitration of disputes arising out of trade. Mr Mitchell was fond of horses and as a breeder, exhibitor, and judge of hackneys his fame spread far and wide.

At The Park Eccleshill where he resided for nearly a quarter of a century he maintained the Eccleshill Hackney Stud.

During the time hackney breeding was in its most flourishing condition, Mr Mitchell owned Champion Ganimede, one of the most famous and successful sires the breed has ever possessed. With Ganimede as leader Mr Mitchell built up a fine stud; he accumulated a large and valuable collection of trophies as the result of success at the show.

As a judge of hackneys Mr Mitchell was one of the best in the county and not only did he officiate at the chief shows in England, but he also went to New York to adjudicate at the International Show there. After leaving Eccleshill for Upwood near Keighley, Mr Mitchell gradually discontinued his activities as a breeder and exhibitor and eventually came to be an ardent motorist.

He was for a time president of the Bradford Automobile Club. He was a skilful angler and a first class shot; while in his younger days he was a boxer whose prowess won respect. He was a capital amateur artist and often exhibited at the Cartwright Hall, and on one occasion had a picture hung in the Royal Academy. Occasionally he gave humorous lectures in public, illustrating his work with pencil or chalk drawings and was a capital entertainer.

At one time he was president of the Shipley division Liberal Unionist Association for a number of years; later when Home Rule came into the scene, he joined the Unionists ranks and attended many anti-Home Rule meetings. He was a magistrates for the City of Bradford and also for the West Riding county area.

Mr Mitchell married a daughter of the late Mr Henry Illingworthth. He died in 1915 leaving a widow, two sons and three daughters."

Year

1891

Creator

Sowden

Image filename

sowden-135