Walter Maxwell

MAXWELL, CROSSEN, GOBLE

Posted By: J. Breen (email)
Date: 1/1/2015 at 13:56:27

WALTER J. MAXWELL. One of the most interesting family histories to be found in this work is that of the Maxwell family, who are not only one of the most numerous, but one of the pioneer families if the county. Robert F. Maxwell, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, Jan. 16, 1792, and died Aug. 26, 1875. He came to this county in the autumn of 1848 and purchased a farm, upon which he remained until his death, and no man or family in the county were more highly respected. Robert Maxwell came with his father, Thomas Maxwell, from Virginia to Harrison County, Ohio, while a mere lad, where he grew to manhood, and was married to Martha Crossen in December, 1814. During the war if 1812 he was a solder, serving under Gen. Harrison, and his son, our subject, was a soldier during the late war, a member of the 45th Iowa Infantry.

All the children of Robert Maxwell's family were born in Harrison County, Ohio—William, Thomas, Robert, Martha, Rachel, Nancy, Walter, John, Samuel, James and Jane. The two latter are deceased. The others are all living, married and have families. Robert and Thomas preceded their father in locating in this county, coming in 1846. They both purchased lands, and Thomas returned to Ohio and was married to Sarah J. Miller who returned to this county with him. Robert married Rachel Thompson, and all their children were born in this county. After the parents came to Iowa the remaining children followed one by one, until the children were all settled permanently in this county. William married Sarah McGaw; Martha is the wife of Hon. G. T. Auld; Rachel married W. A. Johnston; Nancy is the wife of J. P. McCullough, the great fine stock breeder; John married Martha W. George, after whose death he became the husband of Rebecca Stiles.

Our subject was married to Miss Mary J. Goble, Oct. 1, 1867, the occasion being also one of the great reunions annually held by the Maxwell family. This family are now represented by nine children and 106 grand and great-grandchildren. The reunion of 1887 is to be held upon the farm of our subject, and preparations are being made to have this the grandest affair ever attempted by the family.

The only child living born to Walter and Mary J. Maxwell is a daughter, Annie. It is only speaking plain language to state that the children of Robert F. Maxwell are without exception wealthy, and the most highly respected of men and women. The death of Martha Crossen Maxwell occurred some years ago. She had a happy married life of more than sixty-one years, and lived to see all the children settled about her and happily mated to honorable and excellent men and women. The aged father and mother have been members of the United Presbyterian Church since the union between that and the "Seceder Church," which was made in 1858, of which they were members. They were constant in attendance and liberal in the support of the Church of their choice, and stanch defenders of its principles. Three generations often meet beneath their hospitable roof, and the history of different members of the family will complete fully what has been accomplished by their descendants.