John Mitchell
1870-1919
Pioneer resident of Spring Valley. Achieved national prominence in the settlement of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Strike in 1902 with the co-operation of President Theodore Roosevelt.
President of United Mine Workers, 1889-1908. Author of two widely-read books on union recognition. Often acclaimed as an enlightened and fair minded labor leader.
Erected 1966 by Spring Valley Rotary and Lions Clubs, and the Illinois Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt, and the Illinois State Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 41° 19.656′ N, 89° 12.48′ W. Marker is in Spring Valley, Illinois, in Bureau County. Marker is on West Dakota Street (U.S. 6) just east of North Strong Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 525 W Dakota St, Spring Valley IL 61362, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Vietnam Monument (approx. half a mile away); Korea Monument (approx.
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Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. John Mitchell (United Mine Workers)
Also see . . .
1. John Mitchell (Wikipedia). John Mitchell was born in 1870 in Braidwood, Illinois, a second generation Irish immigrant. He worked in the coal mines his whole life. When he was fifteen years old, he joined the Knights of Labor in 1885 and was a founding member of the United Mine Workers of America in 1890. In September 1898, Mitchell became acting president of UMWA. He won election outright in 1899. He helped organize the National Civic Federation in 1900. He served as fourth vice president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). (Submitted on January 10, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Coal strike of 1902 (Wikipedia). The Coal strike of 1902 was a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coalfields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners striked for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. It was the first labor dispute in which the U.S. federal government and President Theodore Roosevelt intervened as a neutral arbitrator. (Submitted on January 10, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 421 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on January 18, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on June 12, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
