Mitchell co-patented, and may have manufactured, a lathe for turning treenails.
Information Sources
- Seventh Annual Report of the American Institute, March 1849, including the results of the 1848 Fair: N. O. Mitchell, Gardiner, Maine, for a useful machine for turning treenails for ship-building. Silver medal.
- See patent 4,953. He was a witness on patent 6,038 and 6,253.
- History of Gardiner, Pittston and West Gardiner, by John Wesley Hanson, 1852, mentions that a "Sawmill, on the Togus Stream, is operated by Nathan O. Mitchell, also of Gardiner". The book also mentions him as an officer of the Kennebec Division, Sons of Temperance.
- The Maine Register for the Year 1855 lists N. O. Mitchell as Vice President and Director of the Gardiner Mechanics' Association. The 1856 edition lists him as president.
- Vincent's Semi-annual United States Register for the first half of 1860, has this item for Wednesday, April 25: "DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—The night of this day, a fire in Gardiner, Me., destroyed thirteen dewlling-houses, several planing and saw mills, and some mechanics' shops. Loss, $50,000. Among the principal sufferers are... N. O. Mitchell..."