Mrs. Lorenzo Mitchell, nee Elizabeth Ryerson, was the granddaughter of two of
our most illustrious pioneers -- Col. Joseph Ryerson and Capt.
Edward McMichael. She was the second daughter of Capt. Samuel Ryerson, the
Colonel's second son, and was born Christmas Day 1818.
In her father's family were three daughters,
Jane, Elizabeth and Sarah, and one son, Henry. Sarah is the sole survivor.
She married George Dresser and resides in Greeley,
Colorado.
When Elizabeth was six years old her father died
and she was adopted in the home of her grandmother McMichael, who was a
member of the McAllister family, of Philadelphia, a family well known in
Revolutionary war times. After Mrs. McMichael's death, which
occurred in 1839, she found a home with her grandfather, Colonel Ryerson.
In 1851 she married Lorenzo, son of the veteran
Judge Mitchell, who sat on the judicial bench as district judge of old
London District for nearly a quarter of a century. For several years
Mr. Mitchell has been blind, and he will sadly miss the companionship of
the loving wife, who had been his guiding star by night and by day during
his darkened life.
Mrs. Mitchell was the mother of 10 children,
seven of who fell victims to disease in early childhood. Three
daughters grew up, married, and mourn the loss of their mother -- namely,
Mrs. James Thomson of Paris, who will spend the larger portion of her time
caring for her blind father in his lonely home; Mrs. C. E. Winter of Port
Austin, Mich.; and Mrs. C. C. Backus of Simcoe.
Mrs. Mitchell has long been a member of the
Baptist church at Vittoria, and although prevented by unfavorable
circumstances from being a regular attendant, she was ever a faithful and
consistent Christian.
She possessed a strong individuality, and in
all her troubles was brave and hopeful and ever maintained a cheerful
disposition. The remarkable vivaciousness, which made her a favorite
in her younger days, never deserted her; and, although her hair had been
silvered with the frosts of nearly 80 winters, she was mentally active
and exceedingly companionable.
Her death came unexpectedly. True, she had
been ailing for about three months, but she recovered somewhat and the
evening preceding the day on which she died, she joined the family at the
supper table, exclaiming,
"Oh, I am quite well again." The
following morning, August 13th, at 11 a.m., the end came.
She was
laid to rest in old Woodhouse cemetery, on the 16th, Elder Pugsley of Port
Dover, officiating in the burial services.
