The subject of this biography, Rev. D. L. Mitchell, father of Rev. G. E. Mitchell, of Stoneburg, Tex., Denton Presbytery, was born in White County, Tenn., in 1847. He joined Presbytery in Tennessee in August, 1870, and was licensed to preach in 1874. The ordination to the full work of the ministry took place at Flower Mound Church, Denton County, Tex. in 1881.

Rev. Mitchell came up through the most adverse circumstances, being a poor man and having a large family to support. He was a man with great faith in God and he always was true to the work of the ministry. Sometimes his trials were seemingly more than could be borne, but he would turn them over to the Lord and go on with his work. He was a believer in the old-time way of praying and fasting, he therefore had great power in prayer. This great Spirit of devotion was spent freely and fully for the cause of Christ and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to which he was always true. It can properly be said that he spent his life for Christ and the church. He preached in Wise, Cook, Denton and Montague Counties, Texas in the early day when there were no church houses but only log school houses. Wherever he could get a congregation he would preach. The power from on high was manifest and men and women were saved from their sins. In this manner churches were built up. These churches stood true to the Cumberland faith. During his ministry of twenty-five years many were converted under the influence of his preaching and many more received into the church.

He was loved by all who knew him. He was a good man whose example any preacher might well emulate. A short time before his death while away from home, he wrote requesting them to read at his funeral the beautiful language of Jude 24: "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God and Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power." He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Josie Hawington, in Gainesville, Tex., on July 30, 1898.

In concluding this narrative, I am glad to say that this faithful one of "our soldiers" has a son to take his place. No doubt if Father Mitchell could speak back across the intervening years he would say, "Let my mantle fall on my son."

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 131-132]