Mitchell, Ralph F.

Ralph F. Mitchell, born in San Juan, San Benito County, California, on December 19, 1879, was a prominent business executive and bank director. He was raised as one of six children born to Charles E. Mitchell and Elizabeth Hewitt, both Vermont natives who migrated to California in the mid-nineteenth century. Prior to his leadership in the agricultural sector, he gained valuable executive experience by serving for four years as the superintendent of the American Seedless Raisin Company.

In December 1918, Ralph became the superintendent of the California Associated Raisin Company branch at Del Rey in Fresno County. Under his direction, the plant underwent major expansions, including the addition of a seedless-raisin packing facility that made it one of the association top regional operations outside the main Fresno site. Married in 1906 to Louise M. Nutting, daughter of W. R. Nutting of Berkeley, he raised four children: Hewitt F., Franklin G., Esther H., and Richard R. Beyond his agricultural management, he served as a director for the First National Bank at Del Rey and was an influential member of the Congregational Church.