An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 424-425. HON. JOHN MICHELL, residing in The Dalles, is a Pioneer citizen of that city and of Wasco county, also. He was born in England, the son of William and Ursula Michell, and came to America with his mother when an infant. They went direct to Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and there he resided during his early youth, receiving some training in the common schools. After that he worked at the printer's trade, and in due time the tales of the wonderful west aroused the desires of his mother to see the country west of the Rockies, and she made the pilgrimage, landing in The Dalles, January 7, 1865, having with her her son, John, and daughter, Ursula. In 1875, Mr. Michell went to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and in 1877, he graduated from the law department of that institution, standing high in his class. Mr. Michell has practiced law very little, but has mainly devoted his energies and ability to newspaper work. He entered partnership with R.J. Marsh on April 27, 1880, and began the publication of The Dalles Weekly Times. Later he purchased his partner's interest and in 1882 bought the Mountaineer, consolidating it with the Times, as the Times-Mountaineer, over which he presided as owner and editor until 1895, in which year he sold to J.A. Douthit. As a journalist, Mr. Michell enjoyed the reputation of being "A fearless and able writer, always possessing the courage of his convictions." Under his management the Times-Mountaineer was one of the leading Republican papers in the entire state of Oregon, and although a strong partisan, Mr. Michell was strongly opposed to bossism and clique rule in the party. Being a resident of The Dalles since 1865, he is intimately acquainted with the history and development of the country, has won for himself the unstinted approval of the people, and enjoys an excellent reputation both as a business man, editor and public speaker. As stated before, Mr. Michell is a strong Republican, made the campaign for that party in Klickitat county, Washington, and Wasco county, Oregon, for the fall of 1896, and showed himself a fearless, convincing and talented public speaker. In June, 1896, Mr. Michell's name appeared on the Republican ticket for state senator from Sherman and Wasco counties, and he was promptly elected by the largest majority on the ticket. He made a first class representative of this section and won many plaudits. During the years of 1901-3. Mr. Michell was in government service in Washington, D.C. Although not privileged to receive the advantages of a classical college, he, nevertheless, owing to studious habits, has made himself familiar with the classics, and is a man of broad range of important information in the sciences and literature. Mr. Michell is a member of several fraternal societies, having passed the chairs in the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, the Elks, Red Men, and Maccabees. In 1880, Mr. Michell married Miss Ella Bulger, the wedding occurring at The Dalles. One child has been born, Maud Elaine, 1883, being the year of her nativity. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.