Ansel Nichols Mitchell (1903-1973) Family Papers (0629kc)

Ansel Mitchell was the son of William Ansel and Maude Nichols Mitchell, the sister of J.C. Nichols, a noted Kansas City real estate developer. In 1929, Ansel Mitchell married Helen Woods, the daughter of Bertha Dicken and Robert Patterson Woods, a prominent civil engineer in Kansas City. Ansel Mitchell began his career with the J. C. Nichols Company in 1912 as an office boy during school vacations. This continued until his graduation from the University of Kansas in 1925, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa in business. After graduation, he became a full-time employee of the firm's construction department. In 1929, Mitchell was made superintendent of construction and also a member of the company's board. In 1961, he became a vice-president. He retired in 1966.

During his career with the Nichols Company, he supervised the development engineering for Indian Hills, Mission Hills, Prairie Village and other residential areas. He also worked as a partner with Edward Tanner, architect, in the firm Tanner-Mitchell, Inc. during World War II. In the early 1970's, Mitchell and his supporters forced the J. C. Nichols Company to sell its stock to the public, rather than being privately held within the family.

This collection contains personal and financial papers, correspondence, news clippings, and photographs of Ansel and Helen Mitchell and his daughters, as well as information on their parents. It also includes documents and photographs relating to J. C. Nichols and his family. ca. 1890-1975.

12 cubic feet

© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri

updated: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
(816) 235-1543 WHMCKC@umkc.edu