Simon Hosack Mix (1825-1864) was born into a newspaper family in Johnstown NY. His father, Peter Mix (1791-1866) moved the family to Schoharie in 1838, where Peter began publishing the “Schoharie Patriot.” Simon had his own Saturday paper, “The [Morning] Star.”
Mix and his brothers, James B. (1816-1853) and William Pierre (1821-1894) worked on Horace Greeley’s “Tribune” in New York City. Simon became a lifelong friend of Greeley. The “Patriot” was turned over to Simon and he ran it until entering the Civil War.
Mix married Margaret Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) Gardiner (d. 1871) in 1849. Franklin Gardiner Mix, their only child was born in 1850.
In 1855, Mix passed the bar. He was a Deputy Grand Worthy Patriot in the Sons of Temperance and president of the Schoharie County Agricultural Society. In 1860 he secured a patent for improving the printing process. He also ran, unsuccessfully, for Congress that year.
In the spring of 1861 he was contacted by James H. VanAlen to begin organizing a regiment of cavalry. It was referred to as VanAlen’s cavalry, and was later known as the 3rd New York Volunteer Cavalry. For more information on the 3rd New York Volunteer Cavalry, see 3rd NY Cavalry Company G Civil War Document Exhibit. Mix was mustered in August 16, 1861 as lieutenant colonel. On April 26, 1862 he was promoted to colonel. He helped protect New York City during the draft riots in July, 1863.
In May, 1864, Mix was put in command of the 1st Brigade, Kautz’s Division, Cavalry, Army of the James. On June 15, Mix was killed during skirmishing around Petersburg, Va. His body was never recovered.
In October, 1865, his widow, Lizzie married Charles Leland, whose family owned several hotels around the country. His son, Franklin married Charlotte Landon Schaffer.
The uniform and several other of Mix’s personal items, including the trunk they were packed in, were sent back to Schoharie in the summer of 1864. They were donated to the Old Stone Fort by his brother, W. Pierre Mix.