History of the American Negro: West Virginia Edition

William C. Mitchell

west virginia edition 157 but as a man of good business and executive ability with a capacity for organization. In addition to these qualities he is imbued with the missionary spirit. So it came about that in 1902, he was appointed superintendent of missions of West Virginia, by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. Like the apostle of old, he has been “in labors abundant,” has gone into every nook and corner of the state, and considers it nothing unusual to travel from twenty-five to thirty-five thousand miles a year in connection with his work within the state of West Virginia. He has kept in close and sympathetic touch with the work of his denomination in every part of the state and has been instrumental in establishing about seventy Baptist churches, to say nothing of numerous Sunday Schools organized. He is in demand at conventions and has for years been a prominent figure in denominational gatherings. On June 8, 1893, Rev. Mr. Meadows married Miss Susie E. Noble, daughter of Joseph and Matilda Noble of Richmond, Va. She was educated at Petersburg Normal and was before her marriage an accomplished teacher. Of the ten children born to them the following survive: Ruth, Leota, Hazel, Mabel, Marion, Floy, Clara and Glenola Meadows. Looking back over the days of his boyhood and youth he is of the opinion that the greatest factors in shaping his life were the encouragement of his mother and the example of his father. His favorite book has been the Bible.After that he likes history. In politics he is a Republican and has done considerable campaign work. He believes that the best interests of the race are to be promoted through a fuller and more complete recognition and granting to the race all the rights of American citizenship. William C. Mitchell It is the stories of men like Dr. William Cephas Mitchell, a leading dentist of Bluefield, which show that nothing can defeat the youth who william cephas mitchell west virginia edition 159 makes up his mind to succeed. There may be hardships, but he makes a way to overcome them. Dr. Mitchell was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., on January 2, 1878. His parents were William and Alice Mitchell, who lived on the farm. The boy grew to young manhood on the farm, and it is safe to say had no easy time of it. The school facilities were poor enough at best and he was not in position to avail himself of what meager opportunities there were, as he had to work pretty steadily on the farm. So he was a grown man before he made much progress in books.When he became of age he left the farm and went to work in the mines of West Virginia. He also started to night school. He at one time thought to study law, but later decided to enter dentistry. He went to Bluefield Colored Institute four years for his literary and preparatory work. When ready for his dental course, he matriculated at Meharry Dental College, Nashville, and won his D.D. degree in 1910. Each summer vacation he would return to work in the mines and was thus able to make his way through to graduation. He had already seen the possibilities of Bluefield and on completion of his course began the practice in that growing center, where he has since resided and has prospered. He belongs to the various medical and dental organizations, including the local or Flat Top, the state and the national. On June 9, 1909, Dr. Mitchell married Miss Maggie K. Marshall, of Ronceverte, W. Va. They have six children; Thelma, Irma, Vera, Coryun, Hazel and Dorothula Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell is a Republican in politics, and among the secret and fraternal orders belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Masons. He is grand master of the York Rite Masons of West Virginia. In religion he is a Baptist and in his local church is a deacon and chairman of the finance committee. Dr. Mitchell has been a careful observer of conditions and believes the next forward step for colored people to take is along the line of cooperation. william henry mitchell ...