Martha Reed Mitchell

Martha Reed Mitchell (March 1818 – February 15, 1902) was an American philanthropist and socialite, well known in charity, art and society circles in the U.S. and abroad. In 1841, she married Alexander Mitchell, one of the sturdy pioneers of Wisconsin, and later, one of the most prominent men in the state. While her husband amassed great wealth, neither prosperity nor popularity deprived Mrs. Mitchell of her simple manner and her love and interest in the cause of the less fortunate. She organized the Protestant Orphan Asylum of Milwaukee, and served as its first treasurer. She supported a mission kindergarten, with nearly 100 children.. Art and artists were indebted to Mitchell for her liberal patronage. After the civil war, she established a winter home near Jacksonville, Florida, where she brought to great perfection tropical fruit-bearing trees, and many rare plantings, including those from Ceylon, China, and India. While here, she became interested in the charities of Florida. She was one of the first Vice-Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.

Early life and education Martha Reed was born in Westford, Massachusetts, in March 1818. Her parents were Seth and Rhoda Reed. She was one of a large family, and in early years learned the lessons of unselfishness and thoughtfulness of others, characteristics that in a marked degree remained prominent through her life. Her siblings included brothers, Harrison Reed, Curtis Reed, and George Reed.

At the age of 13, she attended Miss Catherine Fiske's Young Ladies Seminary in Keene, New Hampshire, and at 17, went to Emma Willard School in Troy, New York, where the happiest days of her life were passed.

As the years passed, the couple became wealthy. With her indomitable will and energy, aided by ample means, Mitchell in a few years, converted a sandy area into "a thing of beauty and a joy forever." She brought to perfection the orange, lemon, banana, olive, plum, pear, peach, and apricot, the English walnut, the pecan from Brazil, and the Spanish chestnut. Among her rare trees were the camphor and cinnamon from Ceylon and the tea plant from China. Her list of bamboos includes the sacred tree of India and five varieties of cane. The family of flowers embraced all the well-known varieties of the temperate zone and the tropics. Her home showed good taste and care and was distinguished for hospitality.

As the years past, she became increasingly characterized as of "unsound mind".

Her papers are held by the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington.