He was born in Pickering, Canada West, the son of James Mitchell and Elizabeth Rogers, and was educated in Orangeville and at Trinity University in Toronto, where he received an M.D. in 1892. Mitchell practised seven years in Dundalk. In 1899, he came to Indian Head, Saskatchewan, later setting up practice in Weyburn. Mitchell also opened a drug store. He also served as quarantine inspector along the Soo Line from 1901 to 1902. In 1902, he married Margaret McKinnon. Mitchell was mayor of Weyburn from 1904 to 1907. He also served as chairman of the school board. He retired from practice in 1907. Mitchell served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 1917 to 1919. He was named superintendent of the provincial mental hospital at Weyburn Mental Hospital in 1919.
He died at his office in Weyburn on February 6, 1932.[2]
