Maxwell, Hugh A. 1863 - 1932

MAXWELL, WATSON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/30/2012 at 18:55:30

H. A. MAXWELL PASSES DIVIDE

Resident of Plymouth For the Past Fifty-Two Years

SHERIFF NINE TERMS

Enjoyed Active Life and An Unprecedented Popularity

Hugh A. Maxwell, resident of Plymouth county since boyhood, sheriff of Plymouth county for eighteen years and widely known in the state, died at his home, 521 Third Avenue SE, in this city, early Wednesday morning following a three months sickness caused by diabetes.

News of the death of the popular ex-county officer was greeted on all sides by expressions of regret.

Mr. Maxwell suffered amputation of a foot a few months ago In order to stay the malady and was making progress towards recovery when a relapse in his condition ensued, aggravated by the intense heat of the
past two weeks.

Hugh A. Maxwell was a native of Ireland. He was born at Stewart Town, County Tyrone, February 1, 1863. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Maxwell, who died at a good old age in this county, emigrated to America in 1865 and lived for a few years in Staten Island, N. Y. They came with the early of settlers to northwest Iowa and settled in Crawford county in 1869, where they lived until 1880 when they came to Plymouth county and located on a farm in Elkhorn township.

Hugh Maxwell grew to manhood on the farm in Crawford county and attended country school and when the family came to Plymouth County continued to assist in the work on the farm until he began farming on his own account. Mr. Maxwell farmed in Elkhorn, Union and Westfield Townships at different times and later bought land in Union township.

Threshed For Many Years

For twenty years during the period of his activities as farmer, Hugh Maxwell operated a threshing machine rig in Plymouth County and gained a wide acquaintance.

Is Elected Sheriff

Mr. Maxwell was made the the nominee of the Republican party for the office of sheriff in the fall of 1910 and was defeated by a slight margin by his Democratic opponent. Two years later he came back smiling and was elected sheriff by a large majority and continued in the office until 1931, when he retired. His length of service is testimony to his popularity in all ranks independent of politics.

Hugh Maxwell was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Watson, of Plymouth county, March 10, 1896, and four children were born to their union.

Tragedy Shrouds Home

His only son, William Maxwell, who served overseas in the World War, returned home unscathed to meet death at the hands of desperadoes, who killed him when they broke out of the county jail one December night in 1919. The sheriff was shot and wounded by the escaping prisoners and his wife knocked unconscious by a chair in the hands of one of the thugs.

Active All His Years

Kindly jovial, friendly, Hugh Maxwell was active al his life in community and social affairs. He was free handed and liberal and it is safe to say, few, if any, had a wider personal acquaintance in the county. He knew nearly every farm house in the county and its owner, and had a fund of stories and anecdotes which he could relate with perfect mimicry. Hugh Maxwell and his fiddle were the delight of the country side at dances and parties in the earlier days. Mr. Maxwell was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Hugh A. Maxwell, and three daughters, Mrs. Walter Hammond and Mrs. Ivan Hart, of Sioux City, and Miss Clara Maxwell, living at home, and one grandson. He also leaves three brothers and one sister, John Maxwell, of Kingsley; David Maxwell, of Austin, Minn.; J. R. Maxwell, of Richland, Wash. and Mrs. Charles Irons, of Halliday, N. D.

Funeral This Afternoon

The funeral will be held at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon at the First Presbyterian church, Rev. J. J. DePree officiating. Ceremonies at the graveside will be conducted by the Masonic order. Pallbearers are nephews of the departed man; Kermit Watson, Leslie Maxwell, Calvin Eyres, Earl Maxwell, of this county, and George and Ray Maxwell, of DeKalb, Ill.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, July 22, 1932
Le Mars, Iowa