Alexander Mitchell

Alexander Mitchell (October 17, 1817April 19, 1887) was a Scottish-born banker, railroad financier and Democratic politician in Milwaukee. Early life Mitchell was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the son of Margaret (Lendrum) and John Mitchell, in 1817 and immigrated to the United States in 1839. He pursued a career in banking in Milwaukee, and founded the Marine Bank of Wisconsin. Business career Mitchell was president of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway from 1864 to 1887. With fellow director Jeremiah Milbank (1818–1884) he built this railroad into one of the most profitable in the United States, and Mitchell became the wealthiest person in Wisconsin. Political career Mitchell represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in the Forty-second United States Congress. After redistricting he represented Wisconsin's 4th congressional district in the Forty-third United States Congress. He was nominated for Governor of Wisconsin by the Democratic Party in 1877, but he declined to run.