The Maxwell Family of Muscatine County, Iowa

Among the pioneer settlers of Iowa, now deceased, must be mentioned Thomas Maxwell, who for many years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Muscatine county. Although more than a decade has elapsed since his demise he is well remembered by those who reside in Orono township, where he made his home for many years and was held in high regard. He was born in Indiana in the month of January, 1832, a son of Elijah and Margaret Maxwell, also natives of Indiana, who came west and settled in Iowa long before the advent of the railroad. Unto them were born five children all of whom, with the exception of one daughter residing in Illinois, have now passed away.

The boyhood and youth of Thomas Maxwell did not differ particularly from that of other boys reared in the country at that period. He attended the district school during its brief sessions, assisted his father in the work of the farm and enjoyed such diversions as were available. He remained a member of his father's household until he had passed his eighteenth birthday, when he engaged in farming for himself for a time and then started a sawmill at what is now Columbus Junction. After operating the mill for several years he withdrew from that occupation to once more become a farmer, with which vocation he continued to be identified during the remainder of his life. He was successful in his pursuits and had acquired sufficient property to retire and live in comfort on the fruits of his early toil five years prior to his death.

Mr. Maxwell was twice married. Unto him and his first wife three children were born, who were as follows: Margaret J., the wife of John Swigle, living in Kansas; Absalom, also a resident of Kansas; and John, who died at the age of eighteen years. On the 18th of October, 1868, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Boggs, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bonett) Boggs. Mr. Boggs was a native of Virginia but his wife was born in the Buckeye state, where they were married but very soon thereafter they migrated to Iowa and settled on a farm in Muscatine county, where they continued to reside during the remainder of their lives. The father died at the venerable age of seventy-eight years but the mother survived for seven years after his demise, passing away shortly after the seventieth anniversary of her birth. They were the parents of the following children: John, who lives in Muscatine county; Mrs. Maxwell, the widow of our subject; Sarah, residing in Nebraska; Oara, of this county; and one who died in infancy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell were born the following children: Thomas, born on the 3d of July, 1870, who received a high-school education and is now a resident of this county; Robert, whose birth occurred on the 15th of October, 1875, now living in Louisa county; William, who was born on the 15th of September, 1878, now living on the old homestead; and Cora, born on the 15th of October, 1880, the wife of James Helverson, of this county. The family always attended the Reformed church, in which they hold membership.

Mr. Maxwell was an ardent supporter of the democratic party. He was a public-spirited man and took an active interest in all municipal political issues, serving as trustee in his township for fifteen years, the term of his office clearly demonstrating his satisfactory discharge of its responsibilities. He also served as a school director for many years. He was a man who always gave his support to every measure the passing of which would benefit the community or improve local conditions, and this in itself is sufficient to have impressed his personality on his district too strongly to have it readily erased. He passed away at his home in Conesville on the nth of February, 1903, at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Maxwell still survives at the age of sixty-six and continues to reside at the homestead.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Probably one of the best known citizens of Muscatine county is Thomas Maxwell, who ever since his boyhood has been actively identified with agricultural interests and as president of the Conesville Savings Bank has gained an enviable reputation for financial sagacity. He is a native of Louisa county, Iowa, born July 3, 1862, a son of T. J. and Mary (Boggs) Maxwell, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Thomas Maxwell was reared under the favoring influences of a country home and attended the district schools, where he gained the foundation of an education which he has since greatly broadened by reading and observation. He continued at home until twenty-three years of age, when he began farming on his own account on a part of the old homestead which he still occupies. He applied himself intelligently to his work and is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of good land in Muscatine county and twenty acres in Louisa county. He has made agriculture an art and science, and as he avails himself of modern methods and improved machinery, he conducts his work to the best advantage and secures the highest results. He was one of the organizers, in 1902, of the Conesville Savings Bank and as president of the institution has shown an ability as to investments which reflects the highest credit upon himself and those with whom he is associated.

On the nth of March, 1886, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Snyder, a native of Muscatine county and a daughter of John and Rosanna (Chapman) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Ohio. The parents were married in the Buckeye state and came west in 1864, settling on a farm in Seventy-six township, Muscatine county. Mr. Snyder learned the carpenter's trade when a young man and followed that occupation until his death, which occurred February 26, 1907. His widow is still living and makes her home at Conesville. There were eleven children in their family, namely: Philander, now deceased; Belle, the wife of Alfred Ferry, of Howard, Kansas; Emma, now Mrs. Daniel McCleary, of Rock Island, Illinois; Josie, the wife of John Bowlby, of Davenport, Iowa; Simeon, deceased; Minnie, now Mrs. Thomas Maxwell; John, also deceased; Mary, the wife of Robert Maxwell, of Conesville; Allie, now Mrs. Chester Cecil, of Hedrick, Iowa; Jennie, now the wife of William Maxwell, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Elbert, of Conesville.

Three children came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell: Roy Leverne, born June 12, 1887, was educated in the common and high schools; Maud at home, was born November 19, 1890, and received a high-school education; and Lorena M., who was born December 10, 1908, is also living at home. Roy Leverne Maxwell, the eldest child, continued at home until twenty-one years of age and then bought eighty acres of land, which he has greatly improved, demonstrating that he is a highly enterprising agriculturist. He was married March 11, 1909, to Miss Grace Leoda Yocum, who was born in Johnson county, Iowa, November 3, 1889, a daughter of O. B. and Lizzie (AIcCullough) Yocum, both parents being natives of Iowa. They were married in this state and have ever since made their home on a farm in Johnson county. There were five children in their family, namely: Grace Leoda, now Mrs. Roy Leverne Maxwell; Elsie V., Ray M., Roy M., and Kenneth Clayton, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell have one child, Irma May, whose natal day was December 8, 1909. Roy L. Ma.well gives his support to the democratic party and fraternally is identified with the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Conesville. He and his wife are faithful members of the Reformed church.

Thomas Maxwell gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and although he has not sought public office, he has served as township trustee, road supervisor and constable and also for twelve years as a member of the school board. He and his wife are both identified with the Reformed church and fraternally he is connected with Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F., of Columbus Junction and Camp No. 8342 of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Conesville, being banker of the latter organization. He deserves the credit that is due to one who by industry and good management attains a responsible position among his fellowmen. Highly prosperous financially, the head of a happy family and respected by the entire community, he may truly be designated as a man upon whom fortune has smiled. He owes his success mainly, however, to his own sound judgment and well balanced mind — gifts more valuable than any which can be purchased with money regardless of the price that may be offered.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

By his thrift and industry William Maxwell has provided for himself and family and now owns a farm of two hundred and five acres in Orono township, which he has developed into one of the valuable places of this section of the state. Born in Muscatine county, March 28, 1873, he is a son of T. J. and Mary (Boggs) Maxwell, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Educated in the district schools, William Maxwell remained at home until twenty-five years of age, devoting his attention after laying his books aside to agriculture and stock-raising. He began farming on his own account on eighty acres in Orono township, which is a portion of the land that he now owns. It is all finely improved except forty acres which are in timber. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and spares no pains in his work, thus producing the best results possible. He is regarded by his neighbors as a thorough farmer and a survey of his ])lace corroborates this estimate, everything about it being in splendid order.

On the 23d of December, 1896, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Snyder, who was born in Muscatine county, April 13, 1878, a daughter of John and Rosanna (Chapman) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Ohio. Mr. Snyder became a farmer of Muscatine county, Iowa. He was, however, a carpenter by trade and devoted the main years of his life to that occupation. He passed away in February, 1907, but Mrs. Snyder is still living and makes her home at Conesville. There were the following children in their family: Philander and Simeon, both deceased; Belle, the wife of Alfred Ferry, of Howard, Kansas; Emma, now Mrs. Daniel Mc- Cleary, of Rock Island, Illinois; Josie, the wife of John Bowlby, of Davenport, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of Thomas Maxwell, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; John, deceased; Mary, the wife of Robert Maxwell, whose sketch is presented on another page of this work; Allie, now Mrs. Chester Cecil, of Hedrick, Iowa; and Jennie, now Mrs. William Maxwell. Three children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell: Hazel A., who was born May 6. 1897; Willie H., born September 8, 1900; and Russell, born June

Mr. Maxwell possesses many of the sterling traits that assist so materially in building up a reputable character, and as he is a man of observation and clear judgment, he has made steady progress from the very beginning of his business career. He is clearly one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Muscatine county — a man whose life has reflected credit not only upon himself and family but upon the community of which he is an honored member. He and his family are identified with the Reformed church. Politically he supports the democratic party and for two years past has served as township trustee and member of the school board. Fraternally he affiliates with Lodge No.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.