William J. Maxwell (1851-1927)

MAXWELL

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/8/2008 at 01:40:50

W. J. Maxwell
Druggist Died Saturday Dec 8
Came to Avoca in 1880, Owned and Operated Drug Store for Fifty-four Years

W. J. Maxwell, pioneer druggist and citizen, passed away at his home in Avoca Saturday morning, December 8, after an illness of about twenty-four hours. His sickness and death was a shock to his large circle of friends, who did not know of his illness until they were told of his death.
William James Maxwell was born in Crawford township, Washington county, Iowa, near Crawfordville, Iowa on August 1, 1851. He grew up on the home farm and attended the rural schools. After leaving school he decided he would like to be a pharmacist and go into the drug store business. After graduating in pharmacy he conducted a drug store business at Ainsworth, Iowa, for a short time, he sold out his interests and came to Avoca and purchased the Booth Drug store in August, 1880.

Before coming to Avoca on October 29, 1879, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Belleville, to this union one son, Howard, was born, who, after graduating from the Avoca public schools was attending the State University at Iowa city when he was taken sick and passed away in 1902 at his home in Avoca, while in his teens. This was a severe blow to Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell from which the father never recovered, as he had planned that his son should enter the drug store business with him and later take over the business he had devoted the best years of his life to build up.

Mrs. Maxwell passed away after a short illness on January 10, 1927. Since the death of Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Julius Hager and her daughter, Lorene, have been keeping up the home for Mr. Maxwell. Lorene had been spending much of her time assisting Mr. Maxwell in the store and proved to be a valuable assistant, both at the store and at the home. They made the home all one could for the comfort and pleasure of Mr. Maxwell. No one could have done more, or been more thoughtful of Mr. Maxwell than Mrs. Hager and her daughter.

Mr. Maxwell was the last of his generation, leaving no immediate relatives, the closest relatives being nieces and nephews.
Mr. Maxwell was a man who devoted all his time to his own business and his store. He very seldom went away for a few days’ his store was his home.

During his declining years he loved to sit in the back of the store, in his rocking chair, and spend the evening withhold friends. He always had a great interest in Avoca, and the young people, among whom he had many friends.
W. J. Maxwell conducted his drug store in the same building for 54 years. His drug store was one of the landmarks in Avoca. He was as thoughtful of the small child, who came to his store to trade, as he was of those older people. He never had an unkind word to say of his neighbors.

Mr. Maxwell was a member of the Presbyterian church, also a faithful attender to the evening services of the First Congregational church. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.

In the death of Mr. Maxwell there has been taken from our midst a good neighbor and citizen, and the last of our pioneer druggists, who came to Avoca in the early days and did his part to make Avoca what it is today. While Mr. Maxwell was not a leader in community affairs, you always found him present at any meeting, for good of the community, ready to help in any way to promote the best interests of Avoca.

Friday morning, December 7, after coming to his drug store Mr. Maxwell was taken sick and was sitting in his chair when Dr. H. E. Leach, Jr., came in after some medicine. Dr. Leach seeing he was sick, gave him first aid and stayed with him for some time, then called Milo Johnson, whose jewelry store is next door. Mr. Johnson called Dr. Hay, after which Miss Hager came to the store. Mr. Maxwell was taken home and put to bed where everything was done for his comfort. He gradually grew worse and passed away Saturday morning.

The funeral services were held at his late home Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, where a large number of friends gathered to pay their respects to one of our most respected citizens.

The relatives from out of town who were here to attend Mr. Maxwell’s funeral were Mrs. Alphia Maxwell of Greeley, Colorado; Lee and Bruce Lease and Hazel Answyl of Crawfordville, Iowa.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald