Corsicana in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
David Reed Mitchell
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012
1. David Reed Mitchell Marker
Inscription.
David Reed Mitchell, born in 1797 in North Carolina, arrived in Robertson County, Texas, in 1845. He was a surveyor by trade, and had surveyed the upper Trinity and Brazos River areas in 1844. He became surveyor of the Robertson County Land District, and worked on the Mercer and Peters colonies, as well as the original plans of Navarro County and Corsicana. Mitchell was also a land speculator of sorts, and by 1847 he owned a large amount of land in Navarro County. With two partners, Thomas I. Smith and James C. Neill, he donated one hundred acres on which the town of Corsicana was founded. For a time, he operated an inn in the town, sometimes referred to as the "Lower Hotel" because of its location in proximity to another hotel run by pioneer Hampton McKinney. David Reed Mitchell was married to Mary Ann Higgins, and they were the parents of five children. Mitchell continued to live in Corsicana until his death on October 7, 1853. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, and the citizens of Corsicana erected a monument at his grave in 1899. Of the three partners who donated land for the city of Corsicana, Mitchell is the only one buried here. ,
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986.
David Reed Mitchell, born in 1797 in North Carolina, arrived in Robertson County, Texas, in 1845. He was a surveyor
by trade, and had surveyed the upper Trinity and Brazos River areas in 1844. He became surveyor of the Robertson
County Land District, and worked on the Mercer and Peters colonies, as well as the original plans of Navarro
County and Corsicana. Mitchell was also a land speculator of sorts, and by 1847 he owned a large amount of land
in Navarro County. With two partners, Thomas I. Smith and James C. Neill, he donated one hundred acres on which
the town of Corsicana was founded. For a time, he operated an inn in the town, sometimes referred to as the
"Lower Hotel" because of its location in proximity to another hotel run by pioneer Hampton McKinney. David Reed
Mitchell was married to Mary Ann Higgins, and they were the parents of five children. Mitchell continued to live in
Corsicana until his death on October 7, 1853. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, and the citizens of Corsicana
erected a monument at his grave in 1899. Of the three partners who donated land for the city of Corsicana, Mitchell
is the only one buried here.
Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker
Location. 32° 5.858′ N, 96° 28.437′ W. Marker is in Corsicana, Texas, in Navarro County. Marker is on North 15th Street, on the left when traveling north. Located at the Oakwood Cemetery entrance on North 15th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corsicana TX 75110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
David R. Mitchell
Died Oct. 7, 1853
Our Pioneer, the founder of our
city and a leader in all laudable
enterprises. His benevolence
was proverbial. Ever ready with
the pipe of peace he warned the
red man he came to stay.
In memory of his many virtues
this monument is erected by a
greatful people. Aug. 2, 1899
Mitchell
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 17, 2012
4. David Reed Mitchell Marker and monument at Oakwood Cemetery, entrance on North 15th Street
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 485 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 10, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.