Thomas Maxwell

As printed in 1911

THOMAS MAXWELL.

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 History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.