So, I received a message through Ancestry in regards to one of only 2 photos we have of Frank John Mitchell. I took Mr. Friedrichs suggestion and searched the paper online. I did indeed find many ads for his veterinary services. There was also an ad certifying the health of a Percheron Stallion named Piston Jr. "He has been certified to by Dr. Frank J. Mitchell, Veterinarian, as being free from hereditary, infections, contagious or transmissible disease or unsoundness specified in the Stallion Law."

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Hi from Charter Oak. We believe this photo was taken here in Charter Oak looking East along Railroad Street. Indeed Mitchell was a vet here in Charter Oak in the years of about 1919-1920/21. His names [sic] appears several times in the Charter Oak times (searchable online). We believe the barn shaped building on the left is "Green Bay Lumber Company - which sat at North end of Mainstreet (now gone). The building on the left was indeed once a livery and is likely were Mitchell had an office. In actuial [sic] fact this building still stands - but is very much in poor condition. Brent Friedrichs Charter Oak

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I think I will start to look at researching local papers as an adjunct to my Ancestry searching.

September 4, 2020

So, Frank was born in 1885 or 1886 in Scotland, or Great Britain.
Married Clara Margaret Klinco in 1915. found a reference on Ancestry!
Daughter Frances [or Francis] Elizabeth was born in 1918.

Frank naturalized in 1919? or in 1918?

Boy, the records for Frank John Mitchell are all over the map for his naturalization. The 1920 Census states he was naturalized in 1909. It also says he entered the country in 1902.

His draft card is dated Sept 12, 1918; "a" naturalization record that I have for "a" Frank John Mitchell is dated March 12, 1918 & states he entered the U.S. at Niagra Falls in 1904. His 1918 draft card says he was a naturalized citizen.

Another Frank Mitchell, not the one!

Well, I've eliminated a Frank Mitchell who died in 1973 in Illinois... drat. It would have been a great connection if it was the 'real' one...

Frances Elizabeth Mitchell

Since Frances was 6 months old when the 1920 Census was done, she was most likely born in September of 1919.

Frances E. Mitchell - possible obituary

This possible obituary will require more research, but it gives me another state to look at. I also need to see if this is a married name, in which case, this isn't Mom's half-sister.

Frances E. Mitchell


Mitchell, Frances E. Ann Arbor, MI Age 85, passed away Tuesday, September 1, 2004. A memorial service will be held 4:00 P.M. Friday September 3, at STARK FUNERAL SERVICE Moore Memorial Chapel, where friends may call after 3:00 P.M. Saturday


Published in the Ann Arbor News on MLive.com on 9/2/2004.

Frances E. Mitchell - Frank's first child

Well, I seem to have found Clara Margaret [Frank's first wife] & Frances [his first child] in a 1930 census in Evanston, Illinois. Clara is listed as a maid and Frances is her daughter. The years match & the fact that Clara was born in Austria matches the other records I have. It's a good clue because I now have Frances' middle initial and a record of both their existence after Frank & Clara parted ways.

More will be revealed, I'm sure.