REV. R. P. MITCHELL, Livingston County, is a native of Stewart County, Tenn., and was born October 30, 1840. His ancestors on the father's side, were natives of Ireland, the grandfather coming many years ago to North Carolina, where his death occurred at an early day; subject's father, Rev. M. F. Mitchell, was born in that State in 1817, but immigrated to Georgia in his early manhood, and later to west Tennessee, where his death occurred in 1868. He was a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, a profession he followed all his life; he married a Mrs. Martha Taylor, her maiden name was Randall, daughter of Rev. Thomas Randall of Tennessee. She was married to a Mr. Taylor first, by whom she had two children—Adaline, and Sarah Ann. After the death of Taylor, she and Rev. M. F. Mitchell were married. Mr. Randall immigrated to America in an early day, and settled in Virginia. He afterward moved to Tennessee, and was among the pioneer Methodist preachers of that State. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Virginia, in about 1819, and died in March, 1881. By her marriage with Mr. Mitchell, she had four children, as follows—R. P. (subject), Rosener F. (deceased), Tennessee (deceased), and William McKendree (deceased). R. P. Mitchell received his primary education in the common school of his native county, and later took a course at an academy in Benton County, where he received instruction in the higher branches of learning. After leaving school he turned his attention to teaching, and followed that profession in Graves County, for a period of ten years, meeting with flattering success as an educator. In 1861 he joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and four years later received license to preach. He ministered to a number of congregations in Tennessee and west Kentucky, until 1875, when he came to Livingston County, settling in Carrsville Precinct, four miles from Lola Village. In 1880 he moved to Lola, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he at present carries on. He has been actively engaged in his ministerial labors, but at the present time, is pastor of but one congregation, New Salem. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Carrsville Lodge, both Royal Arch. He is also an Odd Fellow, belonging to a lodge in Mayfield, Graves County. September 6, 1859, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Watson, daughter of William Watson, of Graves County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a family of five children, Lorenzo P., William M., Mary G., Lola E. L. and Henry F.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 827-828.