“America’s 250th Celebration” honors military

Celebrate those who have served our country as part of Heritage Days 2026, “America’s 250th Celebration.” From Wednesday, June 10 to Sunday, June 14, Flag Day, Huntington will honor military individuals who have made our freedom possible as part of the parade and other activities.

One such Revolutionary War soldier is Elijah Mitchell. After moving to and living in Huntington County, Mitchell was buried in a grave in the cemetery on 1000 S just outside of Warren, Indiana. Information from The Warren Tribune, provided by the Warren Public Library, says that Mitchell was one of the earliest settlers in the southern part of Huntington County having come here from Preble County, Ohio. He moved to the area after several of his children had moved here from their home in New Paris, Ohio.

Mitchell’s great granddaughter, Mrs. L.L. Simons, had records that explained he was born in Virginia on March 6, 1761. One month after his eighteenth birthday, April 6, 1779, Mitchell enlisted in the Revolutionary Army and served two years and three months until he received an honorable discharge in July 1781. He left the army and nothing is known about his life until he was granted a government pension in 1832. According to statements on file in the Washington pension department, he was then and had been for 25 years, a resident of Preble County, Ohio.

Sarah Ireland became his wife according to family records, and Mitchell was the father of ten children. His son Fleming Mitchell came to Indiana one year after Mitchell’s pension was granted. Assisted by a nephew, Leander Morrison, the pair built a mill about a mile up the Salamonie River where the old McCoy Mill stood. It no longer exists. When Mitchell came to the area is not known, and his death occurred here on August 1, 1847 when he was 86 years old.

Mitchell’s children included Martha who married Andrew Morrison. One of her sons was Leander who was the father of Lewis Morrison, who lived southeast of Warren, and Mrs. D.L. Elliott. Another of her sons, Andrew was the father of the late Elijah Morrison and of Mrs. L.L. Simons. Elijah was a doctor and lived in Warren for a time. Other children were born to Elijah and Sarah, some lived in the area and others’ whereabouts are unknown.

Remembering those who have served our nation over the past 250 years, is a part of our heritage not to be forgotten. So if you are in Warren, headed out of town on 1000 S, be sure to read the plaque along the cemetery dedicated to Elijah Mitchell and the information about his service to the United States during the Revolutionary War.