MITCHELL, Archibald Ewing

Name – MITCHELL, Archibald Ewing
Born – 05/07/1878
Died – 29/09/1950
Location – No 69 Presbyterian Section
Mother – Catherine wands Ewing
Father – Robert Adam Crawford Mitchell

Notes – Archibald Ewing Mitchell was born to Catherine Wands (nee Ewing) and Robert Adam Mitchell in Loddon, Victoria in 1878. He siblings were Elizabeth, Hugh, John, Agnes and Thomas.

On April 16, 1907 Archibald married Ellen Strachan. Their first child Catherine, was born the year later in 1908 and their son Robert Strachan was born in 1911.

Archibald came to the Tara district in 1911 with his brother taking up a selection at Meandarra. It appears Mitchells Lane which was already known as a road by that time, may have been named after them.

Archibald was a school teacher who taught at The Gums and he also held the distinction of being the first teacher at the Meandarra School. He undertook a short teaching stint in Roma in 1937, before returning home to Meandarra. Archibald was also the Honorary Secretary for the Meandarra Branch of the Local Producers Association. In 1928, the committee were trying to get Godfrey Morgan to approve the town of Meandarra with a larger recreational and showground area. This endeavour failed because up until 2025, Meandarra still does not have a showground. In 1930 he is cited in the Prickly Pear Courts, with 2343 acres at Hannaford, which he failure to clear.

The census records show Archibald in 1905 at Saltwater Creek, Maryborough, Victoria. In 1915, 1919 and 1925 he is with Ellen working as a farmer at Meandarra. The 1937 roll has him at Northern Road, Roma as a teacher with Ellen and in 1949 at Warrengonbah, Meandarra.

Before his death, Archibald spent four years in hospital. His wife Ellen died in 1965 and it is believed her ashes are buried in the corner of his grave.

Newspaper Article – link

War Service File  –

Learn more about the Tara Cemetery here.