| Notes |
- From Memorial Biographical Record and illustrated Compendium of Biography
Chicago: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
Publisher, Engravers and Book Manufacturers, 1899.
W.W. Maxwell-Among the active and enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Hackberry precinct, Polk county, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch holds a prominent place. His home is on the southeast quarter of section14, township 13, range 1, and he has one hundred and sixty acres, all but ten of which are under excellent cultivation, and well improved with god and substantial buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.
Mr. Maxwell, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 10, 1834, and is a son of Benjamin and Jane (McCormick) Maxwell, natives of Virginia[Penn. for Benjamin per D.P. Maxwell,Jr.,M.D. 1997] and Pennsylvania, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Henry Maxwell, was a native of Ireland[but 1850 census Carroll Co.,Indiana shows birth place as Penn. per D.P. Maxwell,Jr.,M.D. 1997], and settled in Pennsylvania on coming to the new world with his father[suspect Thomas
Maxwell hisband of Ann Blackmar yet to be proven 26Jan1998 per DPMJr.], who took up arms against the mother country on the Revolutionary War. Out subject's maternal grandfather, William McCormick, was born in Scotland[Virginia DPMJr. 1997], and at an early age crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Virginia. The parents of our subject were married in Montgomery county, Ohio, and in 1834, emigrated to Indiana, becoming pioneer settlers of Carroll county, where the father cleared and improved a farm, but in 1850 moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, and again opened up a new farm on what was then the frontier. There he died in 1884 and his wife in 1882, honored and respected by all who knew them. prompted by a love of country he enlisted in October, 1861, at the age of sixty years, in Company F. Third Iowa Calvary, and served for one year. By his horse falling one of his wrists were broken, and he was honorably discharged at the end of that time. In his family were fourteen children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, namely: John, now deceased; George, who went to Oregon in 1850, and was a Major in an Indian War, and also governor[served in the Legislature per DPMJr. 1997] of Washington territory; W.W., the subject of this sketch; Abner, now dead, who was also a member of the Third Iowa Calvary during the Civil War; Mrs. Elizabeth Root, a resident of Jefferson county, Iowa; Mrs. Isabel Frazee, who lives near Thayer, Nebraska; Harvey, a resident of Jefferson county, Iowa, who was a soldier in the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was never off duty except six days during his entire service; Isaac, who also lives in Jefferson county, Iowa; and James, who was drowned in Iowa.
During his infancy W. W. Maxwell was taken by his parents to their new home in Carroll county, Indiana, and was fifteen years of age when he accompanied them on their removal to Jefferson county, Iowa. He received a common-school education and began life for himself at the age of eighteen years, working out by the month for four years. He then engaged in farming on his own account in Iowa until August, 1861, when he laid aside all personal interests and enlisted in Company F., Third Iowa Volunteer Calvary, as wagoner. He was sent to St. Louis on a scouting expedition of ten days, but never got back to his regiment for over two years. By way of Jefferson City, he went to Mexico, Bonneville and Fulton, Mo., where he arrived December 25, 1861. Later he was again at Mexico and Paris, Missouri, and then back again to Mexico, where he responded to a call for one hundred men to go to Camp Jackson, St. Louis. From there he went to Rolla, Missouri, and then to Lebanon, and was sent to Houston, where General Warren was stationed. He was in the engagement's against Price and Marmaduke at Hartsville, and in December started for Little Rock, Arkansas, but on reaching Pleasant Plains was ordered back to Pilot Knob, where he remained until going to Helena, Arkansas. After the rebels were driven from that place he returned to Pilot Knob, and July 1, 1863, started for Little Rock with General Davidson's command, which met General Steele's forces near Brownsville, where an engagement was brought on. The Third Iowa Calvary were the first Union soldiers to enter Little Rock, and after a short time spent there were ordered to Lebanon, Arkansas, where they were engaged in scouting, etc. There Mr. Maxwell re-enlisted with seven hundred and seven of the regiment, and was granted a thirty days' furlough. He was sent to Memphis, Tennessee, was in the fight at Guntown, and also at Memphis during Forrest's raid. The regiment was re-united at Benton, Arkansas. Our subject remained at Memphis until December, 1864, when he was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, and was later sent to the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. He was mustered out with his regiment and paid off at Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1865, returning home with an honorable war record, of which he may be justly proud.
After farming for one year in Jefferson county, Mr. Maxwell removed to Keokuk County, Iowa, where he was similarly employed for four years, and then came to Polk County, Nebraska, taking up his residence upon his present homestead May 1, 1870. While he and his wife were erecting their sod house they spent the nights in a dug-out belonging to Colonel Roberts. They had no neighbors; there had been no roads laid out, and they had to go to Lincoln to do their marketing, but notwithstanding the inconveniences and hardships, their pioneer life was a happy one. With the exception of two years spent in the hotel business in Rising City, Mr. Maxwell has given his entire time and attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, which is now one of the best in the locality.
While home on a veteran furlough, Mr. Maxwell was married February 18, 1864, to Miss Rebecca Sunderland, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William and Matilda (Klechner) Sunderland, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively. In 1851 her parents emigrated to Iowa, where the father died in 1851, but the mother is still living. Their children were Mrs. Maxwell; John, who died in service of his country during the Rebellion, being a member of the Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry; Alvin; Mrs. Martha Abraham; Joseph; Harry; and William. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, six are living: Pearl, now the wife of Richard Marsden, by whom she has three children, Ruby Verne, Willie and an infant; Ida, wife of Perry Pogue, by whom she has three children, Ethel, Fay and Harry; Hayes; Ellsworth; and Alvin. The parents are both faithful members of the United Brethren church of their township, in which Mr. Maxwell is serving as trustee and treasurer of the board. He is one of the most prominent members of B. F. Stephenson post, No. 132, G. A. R., of Gresham, in which he has filled all the offices, being the present commander. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, takes an active and influential part in local political affairs, and has frequently served as a delegate to the conventions of his party. For three years he was an efficient county commissioner of Polk county, and for many years has been a member of the school board, being the present moderator in school district No. 3,. Together with W. F. McClean and Levi Fuller, he organized the Old Settler's Society of Polk county, calling the first meeting August 18, 1885, at which time there were between five and six thousand people in attendance.
|
1834 - 1908 (74 years)
[1, 2, 3] 
Pearl Maxwell, b. 1872, Nebraska, United States 
