The papers include family and business papers of the Mitchell family. The correspondence of Alexander Mitchell with his wife Martha and daughter Harriet, and his outgoing correspondence (1881-1887), usually deals with family matters. There are letters discussing the appointment of his son John as an officer in the 24th Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War. Mitchell's incoming correspondence largely involves requests for extensions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co. It also includes a 20 August 1869 letter from Lyman Draper, asking for Mitchell's support in building a book binding fund and general fund for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. There is one file containing copies of the legal agreements between Mitchell and George Smith establishing the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Comapny. There is also a small file of three campaign speeches given by Alexander Mitchell while running for the U.S. Congress. None of the speeches are dated, but one appears to be from his 1870 campaign, two from his 1872 campaign. A fourth speech was given by Mitchell while delivering his electoral vote for Horace Greeley in 1872.
The bulk of the John L. Mitchell's incoming correspondence (1884-1901) was written during his senatorial career, consisting mainly of constituent letters and requests for support for legislation by members of the government. The letters are arranged alphabetically. Included is correspondence from William Jennings Bryan, Charles King, Arthur MacArthur, Jr., Alfred Thayer Mahan, Frederick Pabst, William Rosecrans, Edward Salomon, William Tecumseh Sherman, and William F. Vilas.
There is also an extensive number of letters written by John Mitchell to his wife, Harriet, (1884-1903), and a few letters to his children, mostly concerning family matters, such as health, personal finances, and meeting with friends. Some comments on meetings with political figures or on Washington politics are scattered through the letters.
Harriet Mitchell's incoming correspondence (1879-1902) is almost entirely from friends dealing with family and social matters, such as the children's education, personal finances, and social engagements. The few letters from her children (1892-1904) and those she sent to friends (1879-1901) also pertain to family and personal matters.
The collection also contains miscellaneous family correspondence, business and legal records, and an invitation and program for the christening of the U.S.S. Wisconsin in 1898.
Of special interest are a photograph of William "Billy" Mitchell, at four months of age, and copies of letters sent by William to his father, John L. Mitchell. One letter (1894) was written while William was at Racine College and describes his sporting activities and an eye examination. Several letters (1900) were written while he served in the U.S. Army during the Phillipine Insurrection, and discuss the military situation. The letters include William's appeal for his father's help in obtaining a commission in the cavalry and posting at Fort Meyer, Virgina, and his plans for a trip to Japan, China, India, and northern Africa. Two letters (1901) were written while William was on the trip, and mostly describe local conditions in Japan and India. Another 1901 letter describes William's activities at Fort Meyer and several social engagements.
