Mitchell, John, Jr.

Mitchell, John, Jr. (1863–1929) publisher, banker; born in Laburnam, Va. He left high school in 1880 and taught until he and several others were dismissed for protesting in the Planet, a Richmond newspaper started by 13 former slaves, the expected dismissal of several African-American principals (1884). Mitchell became editor and manager of the Planet, for which he organized the Planet Printing Company. After a creditor's suit and sale of the newspaper for $400 to a friend, the newspaper was turned over to Mitchell who edited it until 1929, used it to attack the race question, and made it one of the few successful African-American newspapers of its time. In 1890 he entered politics, becoming political boss of the African-American section of Richmond (Jackson Ward) and prominent in the Knights of Pythias (a parallel organization to the white one bearing the same name) and its related orders (1898–1929). Then, in a move around which there is considerable mystery, in 1899 or 1900, he abdicated his position among African-Americans and began supporting his white associates. In 1902 he founded Mechanics Savings Bank, which failed in 1922 resulting in criminal charges against him that were later dropped. In 1920 he ran for governor of Virginia on an all-black ticket and was defeated.