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From "History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio" (1894), pp. 482-484:

ROBERT MITCHELL, son of John and Jane (Peterson) Mitchell, was born in the North of Ireland in 1811, and came to this country with his parents in 1824. The family having settled on a wild farm in Indiana, Robert had to bear his share of the hardships incident to pioneer life. He is the fourth of ten children, all of whom were alive and well for fifty-five years after the family came to the United States. His mother died young, though her mother died about twenty years ago at the age of one hundred and five years.

Our subject assisted in clearing up the Indiana farm and labored to assist in supporting the large family of his parents. On this account he found little time to avail himself of the opportunities offered to attend the three months' winter school in a log cabin. But notwithstanding these drawbacks he succeeded by dint of industry, perseverance and close application in acquiring the rudiments of an education. After the farm was well cleared he came to Cincinnati, with nothing; but a good character, a sound and vigorous constitution, and a determination to accomplish something, but a very indefinite idea as to what that something should be. After trying various employments then open to a youth of twenty he decided to learn a trade, and for that purpose apprenticed himself to a cabinet maker. He served his time and worked at journey work for five or six years, when he commenced business for himself. At that time some little machinery for wood work had been introduced in some places, and believing that the first who should apply it to the manufacture of furniture would reap a rich reward he, after a hard struggle, succeeded in establishing a small factory with what new appliances were then available. The factory was operated for two years in company with a capitalist who had assisted him in its establishment, and who had become dissatisfied at, not yet having any returns for his money, and was desirous of disposing of his investment. Frederick Rammelsberg became the purchaser, and from that date (1846) to January, 1863, when he died, the partnership was continued. At the time Mr. Rammelsberg became interested the capacity of the works was sufficient for about thirty men, but was gradually increased until 1848, when it was destroyed by fire, and the whole fruit of their labor was swept away, there being no insurance whatever.

In 1849 the works were rebuilt on a larger scale, but when they were ready to start business was very much depressed, and then to add to the depression came the cholera epidemic. They struggled on, however, and continued adding to their capacities until they finally triumphed by having built up a good trade. When the Civil war broke out they were employing between four and five hundred men. This calamity again depressed the business, but in a few years it began to pick up again, and in time it became quite flourishing. The working force was increased from five hundred to six hundred men, and as business increased it was still further added to until a much larger number was employed. In 1871-72 the present store and manufactory-100x150 feet, six stories in height in front and seven in the rear was built, being one of the largest establishments of the kind in the United States. At present they manufacture and set up wooden mantels, which they have introduced into Cincinnati and which have largely displaced stone and iron mantels in many of the best residences. They also make a specialty of interior fittings of all kinds for offices, banks, hotels, court and state houses, as well as private residences. A wholesale as well as a retail department is conducted. The entire floorage of the factories and store covers nearly ten acres of space. In 1867 Mr. Mitchell incorporated the concern as the "Mitchell & Rammelsberg Furniture Company" and took in a number of the employes as stockholders, but reserved the first right to repurchase the stock if they desired to dispose of it, which he did at the request of the holders some years since. In 1881 the title of the concern was changed to the Robert Mitchell Furniture Company.

Robert Mitchell was first married in 1838, and a second time in 1864. There are five living children-two sons and three daughters-all born of the first marriage. Albert H. is vice-president of the company and Richard H. secretary. Of the daughters Jennie married Stephen R. Burton; Lillie became the wife of W. H. Ellis, treasurer of the furniture company, and Emma married A. J. Redway. The venerable head of the great corporation resides in Avondale, and is spending the evening of his life in ease and comfort. During his more active years he was always in the shop with his workmen and ever took a deep interest in their welfare. When the company was incorporated he was chosen president, but retired from any active participation in the business, choosing to leave its direction in the hands of his sons and son-in-law. The family attend Grace Episcopal Church, Avondale, Mr. Mitchell was a member of the first I. O. O. F. Lodge organized in Cincinnati, and such for many years. In politics he adheres to the Republican party, but never held a public office in his life; nor was he ever a candidate. The success of Mr. Mitchell in the management of the great business which he founded has been largely due to his judgment of men and motives, his control of large bodies of workmen, his indomitable will power, his strict punctuality in business engagements, and an integrity of character which is always the basis of universal confidence.
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Louis Bouscaren, in "The Lincoln Oak", confirms that Robert was born in Enniskillen, Ireland (now Northern Ireland, UK). Robert later built a large hilltop estate in Avondale, Ohio, near Cincinnati, which he named "Enniskillen". He passed the estate to his son, Richard.

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MILLIONAIRE DEAD.

Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 2.--Robert Mitchell, aged 87 years, multi-millionaire, died here tonight.

[Idaho Daily Statesman (Boise, ID), 3 February 1899]
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• Married: 1838 in Cincinnati,Hamilton,Ohio ⁸

1. Jane E. Mitchell b: Abt 1838 in Ohio
2. William H. Mitchell b: Abt 1840 in Ohio
3. Albert Hannaford Mitchell b: 20 APR 1843 in Cincinnati,Hamilton,Ohio
4. Emma Harriet Mitchell b: 17 JUL 1845 in Cincinnati,Hamilton,Ohio
5. Richard Hannaford Mitchell b: 1 MAR 1850 in Cincinnati,Hamilton,Ohio
6. Jennie E. Mitchell b: Abt 1850 in Ohio
7. Lillie Isabella Mitchell b: 3 MAR 1855 in Cincinnati,Hamilton,Ohio
8. Clara Frances Mitchell b: Abt 1859 in Ohio

• Married: 1864 in Cincinnati,Hamilton,Ohio ⁸

1. Title: History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; Their Past and Present
   Publication: Cincinnati, Ohio: S.B. Nelson & Co., 1894
   Abbrev: History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
   Page: p. 482
   Text: ROBERT MITCHELL, son of John and Jane (Peterson) Mitchell, was born in the North of Ireland in 1811, and came to this country with his parents in 1824.
   Quality: 2
2. Title: The Lincoln Oak
   Author: Louis Henri Gustave Bouscaren
   Abbrev: Louis H. G. Bouscaren
   Publication: Anthony Trawick Bouscaren, 1967 [privately published]
   Abbrev: The Lincoln Oak
   Page: p. 61
   Quality: 2
3. Title: 1850 U.S. Federal Census
   Abbrev: 1850 U.S. Federal Census
   Page: Roll: 689; Page: 122
   Text: Robert Mitchell; <Age> 40; <Sex> M; <Occupation> Cabinet Maker; <Birthplace> Ireland. -Head of Household: Robert Mitchell; Census Place: Cincinnati Ward 6, Hamilton, Ohio. (Enumeration Date: August 24, 1850)
   Quality: 2
4. Title: 1860 U.S. Federal Census
   Abbrev: 1860 U.S. Federal Census
   Page: Roll: 980; Page: 170
   Text: Robert Mitchell; <Age> 48; <Sex> M; <Occupation> Cabinet Maker; <Birthplace> Ireland. -Head of Household: Robert Mitchell; Census Place: Millcreek, Hamilton, Ohio. (Enumeration Date: June 11, 1860)
   Quality: 2
5. Title: 1870 U.S. Federal Census
   Abbrev: 1870 U.S. Federal Census
   Page: Roll: 1207, Page: 39
   Text: Mitchell, Robert; <Age> 55; <Sex> M; <Race> W; <Occupation> Furniture Manufacturer; <Birthplace> Ireland. ----Head of Household: Robert Mitchell. Census Place: Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio. (Enumeration Date: June 6, 1870)
   Quality: 2
6. Title: 1880 U.S. Federal Census
   Abbrev: 1880 U.S. Federal Census
   Page: Roll: 1023, Page: 350-3
   Text: Mitchell, Robert; <Race> W; <Sex> M; <Age> 68; <Relation> --; <Marital Status> M; <Occupation> Furniture Man'g; <Birthplace> Ireland; <Father's Birthplace> Ireland; <Mother's Birthplace> Ireland. ----Head of Household: Robert Mitchell. Census Place: Avondale, Hamilton, Ohio. (Enumeration Date: June 14, 1880)
   Quality: 2
7. Title: Death Announcement - Robert Mitchell
   Publication: Idaho Daily Statesman (Boise, ID), 3 Feb 1899
   Abbrev: Death Announcement - Robert Mitchell
   Quality: 2
8. Title: History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; Their Past and Present
   Publication: Cincinnati, Ohio: S.B. Nelson & Co., 1894
   Abbrev: History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
   Page: p. 483
   Text: Robert Mitchell was first married in 1838, and a second time in 1864.