Local History Website of the SMSU Department of History

Obadiah Clark Mitchell was born on October 20, 1858. He was born in Dallas County, Missouri.  His parents were Greenberry and Sarah Mitchell.  They were from Tennessee. Obadiah had five brothers and three sisters. 

Obadiah went to school in Missouri. He went to college for one year. He went to  Morrisville College in Polk County, Missouri.  He became a farmer.  Then he became a railroad worker. He worked for the Frisco railroad. It went through Springfield. Then he became a policeman.  Then he worked in a grocery store. Then he worked for the post office.

Obadiah worked in the post office in Springfield. He was a postman. He carried the mail for many years.  He was a leader of the postmen. In 1914, he became the postmaster of Springfield.

Obadiah married Elizabeth McDonald.  They had at least one child.  His name was John. 

Obadiah Clark Mitchell was important for Springfield. He was one of the first postmasters of Springfield. 

Author: Justin Minard
Source: Jonathan Fairbanks and Clyde Edwin Tuck, Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri, 1915