Wayne Adolphus “W. A.” Mitchell

Wayne A. Mitchell served on the ECTC board from 1926–1930, as the teachers college completed an era of expansion in campus size, faculty numbers, and student enrollment, as well as in its pedagogical mission of providing professional training for prospective teachers.

His service on the ECTC board coincided with his tenure as mayor of Kinston. He served in that capacity for a total of six years — three terms — from 1923 until 1929. During his time as mayor, Mitchell was able to report that water, light, and sewage systems were extended, playgrounds purchased, and an increasing number of streets paved. Additions were made to the fire and police departments, and city salaries were increased. Even as debt on city bonds was reduced, the city was able to bank a surplus of $265,000. Commenting on this achievement, Mitchell remarked, “We simply used good business methods and avoided waste.”

After being defeated in his fourth bid for mayor, Mitchell returned to public service in 1935 as postmaster of Kinston, a position he retained until 1945. In the private sphere, Mitchell owned a farm supply and livestock business, the W. A. Mitchell Company. He also inherited from his father, Adolphus Michell (1850–1906), substantial real estate holdings including property he later helped develop into a residential part of Kinston today known as that town’s Mitchelltown Historic District.

Mitchell also served as president of the Lenoir County unit of the University of North Carolina Alumni Association. He graduated from Chapel Hill in 1896 and then completed a master’s degree in law at George Washington University in Washington, D. C. in 1898.

Sources

• “Acting Postmasters Named.” News and Observer. January 6, 1935. P. 6.
• Black, Allison H. (May 1989). “Mitchelltown Historic District.” National Register of Historic Places – Nomination and Inventory. North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/LR0464.pdf
• “College Board Holds Session: Takes Steps Looking to Putting in Effect Building Work at Greenville.” News and Observer. April 15, 1927. P. 11.
• “Kinston Postmaster to Resign Sept. 30.” News and Observer. July 18, 1945. P. 5.
• “Kinston’s Finances in Splendid Shape.” Ne ws and Observer. May 18, 1929. P. 2.
• “Mitchell Chosen Again as Mayor of Kinston.” News and Observer. May 5, 1927. P. 18.
• “Mitchelltown Historic District.” https://www.livingplaces.com/NC/Lenoir_County/Kinston_City/Mitchelltown_Historic_District.html
• Mitchelltown Historic District, Kinston, Lenoir County. Survey Files in Survey and Planning Branch, N.C. Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, N.C.
• Powell, William S. Annals of Progress: The Story of Lenoir County and Kinston, North Carolina. Raleigh: State Department of Archives and History, 1963.
• “Wayne A. Mitchell.” News and Observer. July 2, 1950. P. 6.
• “Wayne Mitchell Dies in Kinston: Lenoir Man Was Former Mayor, Served as Postmaster at Kinston.” News and Observer. July 1, 1950. P. 3.
• “Wayne Mitchell New Kinston Postmaster.” News and Observer. January 3, 1935. P. 2.

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