Thomas Maxwell

MAXWELL, CROSSEN, MILLER

Posted By: J. Breen (email)
Date: 1/1/2015 at 13:48:46

THOMAS MAXWELL, farmer and stock-raiser, resides upon section 16, Washington Township, where he has 250 acres of fine land, all under a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born Oct. 29, 1817, and is the son of Robert and Martha A. (Crossen) Maxwell, both of whom were natives of Virginia, the former being of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter of Irish descent. They were pioneers of Harrison County, Ohio, settling there when it was an almost complete wilderness. Even for the ammunition required to kill game on which they principally lived, they were required to go a distance of fifteen miles. They remained in Harrison County, Ohio, until 1848, when they came to Washington County, this State, where they resided the remainder of their lives. Robert Maxwell died in 1876, at the age of eighty-four, while Mrs. Maxwell died in 1883, aged eighty-five.

The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and received but a limited education in the common schools of his native State. Hard work was his lot from the time he was physically able to bear any of the burdens of the farm. In 1845 he made a trip to Iowa, and in 1847 came to the State and located on section 16, Crawford Township, Washington County, where he purchased and improved a farm, remaining there until 1869, when he sold out and came to his present farm in Washington Township. This farm was partially improved, but the excellent improvements now seen are the results of his own labor.

Thomas Maxwell married, in Harrison County, Ohio, November 6, 1849, Miss Sarah J. Miller, who was a daughter of John and Mary (Milligan) Miller. She was a native of that county, born Jan. 12, 1826. Her parents were also pioneers of that county. Eight children have been born to them, only two of whom are now living: John A., residing in California, and Anna M., at home. Those deceased are Elizabeth N., Martha J., Annetta and Robert J., and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Maxwell died April 25, 1872. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in her daily life exemplified the teachings of her Savior. Mr. Maxwell is a member of the Associate Reformed Church, and has been connected with the same for many years.

Thomas Maxwell is another illustration of the possibilities of American youth. Commencing life without a dollar, he worked for seven years for $75 per year, out of which he saved quite a little sum of money, which enabled him to get his first start. When he came to Washington County he rented land for two years, and then purchased the farm in Crawford Township, as already stated. In all his business affairs he is strictly honest, doing unto others as he would that others should do unto him. He has toiled early and late, been economical in his expenditures, painstaking in all his labor, and now, having reached his threescore years and ten, he can safely leave to others hard work, while he enjoys the rest to which he is entitled. For forty years he has been a citizen of Washington County, and no man within its borders has a more honorable record, and is more universally esteemed than Thomas Maxwell.

From Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887); PROMINENT CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY