William Edwards Mitchem Sr. (1872 - 1944)

Born 12 Mar 1872 in North Curry, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Ethel Belle (Cook) Mitchem — married 18 Jun 1898 in Albia, Monroe, Iowa, United States

Husband of Margaret Effie (Neil) Mitchem — married 30 Jun 1909 in Albia, Monroe, Iowa, United States

Husband of Georgia Louise (Elder) Mitchem — married 1934 in Albia, Monroe, Iowa, United States

Died 18 Jun 1944 at age 72 in Albia, Monroe, Iowa, United States

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Biography

William was born to Samuel Mitchem and Mary Edwards in 1872 in North Curry, Somerset, England. In about 1876, they moved to Thorn Falcon. In 1884, his family immigrated to the US and settled in Marshall, Iowa. In 1891, his father passed away.

In 1898, William married Ethel Cook in Albia, Iowa. They had at least one child.

in 1898, William and J. H. Cook became partners to run a department store in Albia.

in 1899, William ended his partnership with J. H. Cook and started one with David Symes. They operated the Bee Hive store at 111 Clinton Street. They are not mentioned in the 1896 history of Monroe County indicating they started after that date.^[1] On the other hand, Sol Loeb was began operating Globe Clothing House on the West Side of Town Square in about 1895.

In about 1902, William and David opened Mitchem & Symes Department Store on the West Side of Town Square, near Loeb's store. Their earliest advertisement that mentions their West Side location is from October 1902.

In 1903, William's wife and daughter were killed in a railroad accident.

In 1909, William and David sold their business. William became a real estate agent while David left for California.

In 1909, William married Margaret Effie Neil in Albia. They had at least two children.

In 1930, Margaret passed away.

In about 1934, William married Georgia Elder.

In 1944, William passed away in Albia.

The Tuesday Union (Albia, Iowa) Tuesday, December 26th, 1899, Page 4

Dissolution Notice.

The partnership heretofore existing between J. H. Cook and W. E. Mitchem has been dissolved by mutual consent. All accounts due the firm will be paid to W. E. Mitchem and David Symes, who compose the firm of Mitchem & Symes, who agree to settle all accounts that the firm of Cook and Mitchem owes.

J. H. Cook

W. E. Mitchem

The Albia Republican (Albia, Iowa) Thursday, June 12th, 1902, Page 4

Colored Parasols at a great bargain at the Bee Hive, Mitchem & Symes.

All the late styles in Ladies and Misses summer gloves and mitts including the New Lace open work gloves, at the Bee Hive, Mitchem & Symes.

Go to Mitchem & Symes for bargains. They have them in every line and always keep an up-to-date, clean store.

Don't forget the place to buy Mens' and Boys straw hate is at Mitchem & Symes, west side square.

The Friday Union (Albia, Iowa) Friday, March 27th, 1903, Page 4

Some dainty patterns in dinner ware just arriving the largest stock in Iowa to select from. Mitchem & Symes Department Store, West Side.

All handkerchiefs bought at our store perfumed free. Mitchem & Symes Department Store, West Side. Mitchem & Symes Department Store, West Side.

A big picture deal, 500 twenty five cent pictures during this early sale only 10¢ each. Come quick and get first choice.

A full and complete line of perfumes and toilet articles. $1.00 and $1.50 per oz. perfumes our price 40¢ per oz. Mitchem & Symes Department Store, West Side.

Iowa state gazetteer and business directory. 1905

Albia: Mitchem & Symes (Wm E Mitchem, David Symes) general store.

Iowa state gazetteer and business directory. v.14, 1908-09

Albia: Mitchem & Symes (Wm E Mitchem, David Symes) general store.

Evening Times-Republican (Marshalltown, Iowa) Mon, Dec 28, 1908, Page 6

Arthur E. Mitchem returned home this morning from Albia, where he has been for the past two weeks acting as cashier for the department store of Mitchem & Symes. Mr. Mitchem says that the holiday trade in southern Iowa was larger than ever before, as has been the experience of merchants thru part of the state.

Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier (Ottumwa, Iowa) Tue, Jan 12, 1909, Page 7

FIRE IN TELEPHONE PLANT AT ALBIA.

Albia—Mitchen & Symes, one of the leading firms of the city and who conduct a large department store, have sold out to E. S. Hertel of Chicago. The transfer will be made the first of February and the Albia gentlemen have not concluded what business they will engage in.

Monroe County News (Albia, Iowa) Tuesday, November 22, 1988, Page 14

Touches of the Past

By Grace Billings

111 South Clinton Street [includes a interior photo of "Mitchem & Symes Department Store, now Williams Clothing"]

1874

...Before 1900, Mitchem & Symes Department Store (W. E. Mitchem, E. Symes) was opened at 111 South Clinton Street. Mitchem and his wife, Ethel, lived on the north side of Taylor and the third house west of Harrison. David Symes boarded at 307 South Clinton.

...Food for thought: In 1900 the Albia City Directory lists Mitchem & Symes at two locations. Their listing under the title crockery and glassware was located at 205 South Clinton Street. While the title dry goods locates them at 111 South Clinton. Is it possible that they had two stores at two different locations at the same time?

1881 England Census in North Curry, Somerset:

• Saml Mitchem 38 Farmer of 140 Acres employing 4 laborers and 1 boy born Stoke St Gregory, Somerset
• wife Mary 29 born North Curry, Somerset
• son Wm E 9 born North Curry, Somerset
• daughter Ada 7 born North Curry, Somerset
• son Geo S 6 born North Curry, Somerset
• son Arthur E 4 born Thorn Falcon, Somerset
• daughter Lilly S 1 born Thorn Falcon, Somerset
• son Fred 0 born Thorn Falcon, Somerset

1895 Iowa State Census in Marshall, Iowa:

• Mary Mitchum 44 widowed born England
• William E Mitchum 23 Farmer born England
• son George S 20 born England
• son Arthur E 18 born England
• son Fred 14 born England
• daughter Ella 13 born England
• daughter Mary 11 born England
• daughter Helen 8 born England
• daughter Edith 7 born England

1900 Federal Census in Alba City, Monroe County, Iowa:

• E Wm Mitchem 27 Dry Goods Merchant born England (married 2 years; immigrated 1884)
• wife B Ethel 26 born Iowa (married 2 years; 1 child, 1 living)
• daughter E Mildred 1 born Iowa
• partner David Symes 27 Dry Goods Merchant born England (immigrated 1894)

1910 Federal Census in Alba City, Monroe County, Iowa:

• William E Mitchem 37 Real Estate Agent born England (married 2nd 1 years; immigrated 1890)
• wife Margaret S 25 born Iowa (married 1 years; 0 children)

1920 Federal Census in Alba City, Monroe County, Iowa:

• William Mitchem 48 Real Estate Agent born England
• wife Effie 35 born Iowa
• son William Jr 9 born Iowa

1930 Federal Census in Albia City, Monroe County, Iowa:

• William Mitchem 58 Department Store Retail Merchant born England (immigrated 1891)
• wife Effie 45 born Iowa
• son William Jr 19 born Iowa

1940 Federal Census in Albia City, Monroe County, Iowa:

• William Mitchem 68 Mercantile Salesman born England
• wife Georgia 54 Nurse born Iowa

Sources

1. ↑ An Illustrated History of Monroe County, Iowa, 1896

• 1881 England Census
• 1895 Iowa State Census
• 1898 Iowa Marriage Record for William Edward Mitchem and Ethel B Cook
• 1900 Federal Census
• 1905 Iowa State Census
• 1909 Iowa Marriage Record for William E Mitchem and Margaret Effie Neil, gives his parents as Samuel Mitchem and Mary Edwards and hers as James Neil and Fannie James
• 1910 Federal Census
• 1920 Federal Census
• 1930 Federal Census
• 1940 Federal Census
• Findagrave profile