MOGMOMitchell
ORESTES MITCHELL 1876-1938
Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive
Grand Master, 1924-1925
BIOGRAPHY
From Missouri Lodge of Research:
Orestes Mitchell was born near Buena Vista, Ind., December 26, 1876. When he was four his parents moved to a farm near Orrsburg, Nodaway County, Mo., and later to a farm near Lakin, Kearney County, Kansas but shortly returned to Missouri locating in St Joseph, Mo.
Brother Mitchell attended school in St. Joseph and entered law school at the University of Missouri graduating with honors in 1900. He practiced law in St Joseph of the remainder of his life.
On April 15, 1902, he was married to Miss Inez Samuel and were the parents of four children, Samuel Orestes, Martha Elizabeth, Francis Marion and Maryle Florence.
For many years Brother Mitchell had been a close friend of Guy B. Park and when the latter became Governor of Missouri he named Brother Mitchell as a Colonel on the Governor's staff. In 1933 Governor Park named his as president of the Board of Police Commissioners in St Joseph.
Brother Mitchell was made a Freemason in Charity Lodge No 331, St Joseph, June 13, 1904, passed June 27 and raised July 16 of that year. He was elected Master of his lodge December 27, 1909. He was named DDGM in 1913 and later appointed Grand Sword Bearer in the Grand Lodge and was elected Grand Master in 1924. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home.
He was a member of the York Rite bodies in St Joseph Mo.
In the Scottish Rite he became a member of St Joseph Lodge of Perfection in 1905. He received his K.C.C.H. in October 1911 and was crowned an Honorary 33rd degree October 24, 1913.
He became a member of Moila Shrine in 1909 and served as Potentate in 1918.
His death occurred Tuesday morning, April 19, 1938 and funeral services were held under the direction of Rev. E.L. Robison, a Grand Chaplain. Masonic services were provided by Charity Lodge No 331. Burial was in Memorial Cemetery, St. Joseph.
