J. E. Mitchell

J. E. Mitchell (1876–1953) was an American publisher known for his newspaper, the St. Louis Argus, which wrote for blacks in St. Louis.

The fourth of eight children, Mitchell was born on August 1, 1876, in Coosa County, Alabama, to a farming family.As a child, he often worked in his father's sawmill.In 1898, he joined the United States Army and served with the 24th Infantry Regiment.In 1901 he married Mattie E. Thomas.In 1904, they settled in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1906, Mitchell formed an insurance company, the Western Union Relief Association.In April 1912, Mitchell, along with his brother William, began the St. Louis Argus.Mitchell served as publisher and managing editor and his brother served as the business manager.

Mitchell was enshrined in the National Newspaper Publishers Association in 1978.