Maxwell, John P. (Dr.)

MAXWELL, COX, WOODARD, CANTRBURY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/2/2019 at 11:20:14

JOHN P. MAXWELL, M.D.
"History of Decatur County Iowa And Its People"
Prof. J.M. Howell & Heman C. Smith, Ed.
S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. 1915.

Dr. John P. Maxwell devoted his time for over thirty years to the practice of his profession but for the past year has been cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Pleasanton. He was born in Eden township, Decatur county, on the 4th of October, 1852, a son of William K. and Jane A. (Cox) Maxwell. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Virginia. In 1850 they came to this county from Indiana and the father followed farming here for many years. He had served in the Mexican war and used his land warrant in acquiring land in Eden township. At the outbreak of the Civil war he again offered his services to his country and enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was made lieutenant. After serving for a year he was discharged on account of illness and died not long after returning home, passing away in September, 1863. Hi wife lived until November, 1906.

Dr. John P. Maxwell was reared in this county and after going to the public schools in Eden township became a student in the Leon high school which he attended for two years. He then taught for some years, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He located at Grand River, this county, where he practiced for two years, but then removed to Ellston, Iowa, where he remained for twelve years. At the end of that time he took up his residence in Clearfield, Iowa, where he followed his profession successfully for about twenty years. In 1914 he came to Pleasanton and assumed charge of the farmers & Merchants Bank, a private institution, as cashier. On the 17th of February, 1915,
William Woodard, of Decatur, the owner of the bank, passed away and Dr. Maxwell is now serving as administrator of the estate. He has proved his ability as a business man and financier and under his management the affairs of the bank have been well directed. While actively engaged in the practice of medicine he won a creditable place in his profession and gained the confidence of his professional brethren and of the general pubic alike. He belongs to the Taylor County and Iowa State Medical Societies and to the American Medical Association, which indicates his progressive spirit and desire to keep abreast with the latest discoveries in the field of medical science.

Dr. Maxwell was married on the 8th of September, 1884, to Miss Fannie Woodard, a daughter of William and Matilda (Canterbury) Woodard, who were born respectively in Ohio and Iowa. The father, who was a pioneer of this county, went to California in 1849 during the gold excitement and gained a start financially there. He returned to this county and for many years carried on agricultural pursuits. Upon giving up the work of the farm he removed to Decatur City, where he owned a bank. His wife died in December, 1914. To Dr. and Mrs. Maxwell was born one daughter, Madge F., who is bookkeeper in the bank of which her father is cashier. The wife and mother died in April, 1887, and her demise was sincerely mourned, not only by her immediate family but by her many friends who held her in warm regard.

Dr. Maxwell is a republican and has at all times discharged the duties devolving upon him as a citizen. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church and fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Independence Order of Odd Fellows. He combines the qualities that make the successful physician with those that characterize the efficient business man and has carried to completion all that he has undertaken. Although he has only resided in Pleasanton for one year, he has made many friends here and is highly esteemed for his ability and integrity.

Transcribed by a volunteer for IAGenWeb.org/Decatur County