To the memory of Dr. A. S. Maxwell, long a conspicuous figure in Davenport, no better tribute can be paid in this connection than to reproduce in part the sketch of his career prepared by Dr. A. W. Cantwell, and read before the Scott County Medical Society, as follows:
Archibald Stephens Maxwell was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 22, 1818, and died near Los Angeles, California, March 13, 1884, very nearly sixty-six years of age. He was of Scotch descent and was very proud of it. Until sixteen years of age he lived upon a farm where he laid the foundation for a vigorous constitution, attending the district school during the inter months and working on the farm the remaining portion of the year. His leisure hours were always spent in reading such works as would be of value to him later in life. Being ambitious to learn a trade, he commenced that of printer in 1834. When the three years' apprenticeship had passed, we find him marching on, being foreman of the Findlay "Whig." At this place men of learning, seeing the ambitious youth struggling with all his might, lent him a helping hand in the higher branches of education, for which assistance he was always thankful.
In 1839, two years later, he went to Mansfield, Ohio, and entered into partnership with Colonel John Meredith, in publishing the Richland “Shield and Banner.” His time not being wholly occupied he com menced the study of law in the office of Judge Jacob Brinkerhoff. Here he also made the acquaintance of Samuel Kirkwood whom the people of Iowa call their old War Governor. Not satisfied with his education he retired from the paper and entered the Ashland Academy, where he graduated with honor. Being considered an able speaker his services were in frequent demand during the political campaign of 1842. In the midst of this campaign he was seized with an attack of laryngitis which affected his voice so that he was compelled to relin quish the law. It was a great disappointment, for he had placed his mark high. His progress had been onward and upward to this time. Still not discouraged he changed his profession from law to medicine.
Entering the office of Dr. John W. Cook at Berlin, Ohio, after a due course of study and attendance at lectures he graduated from the medical department of Iludson College at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1847.
He commenced his career with his preceptor. A few months after he was married to Miss Charlotte S. Hough, a stepdaughter of Dr. Cook. Five years of practice in that village, where he was called daily into the country taking long rides day and night, resulted in failing health, so , having made quite a study of eye and ear, he concluded in 1852 to devote his time to that specialty. Being called upon to visit many towns in Ohio and Indiana and elsewhere, and having taken a fancy to the West, and having also an eye for the beautiful he came to our city in April, 1855, when he invested considerable money in real estate when everything was very high. The financial crisis of 1856-57 swept nearly everything from him and he then entered into general practice, which soon became profitable as well as extensive, and was making rapid strides toward the front when Governor Kirkwood called upon the friend of his youth, whom he knew was trustworthy, and sent him to the front to care for the Iowa soldiers who were bravely battling for this great and good country.
In the army Dr. Maxwell made many warm and dear friends, and had offers of high positions, but true to his trust he declined them and was placed in charge of hospitals (Nos. 6 and 8) at Keokuk, where he spent some time. While there he filled the chair of physiology and pathology. After this he was called upon to visit many of the principal liospitals in the South and West, rendering aid at the siege of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, after which he went to New Orleans. In January of 1864 he returned to Iowa and made his final report to the Governor, which received his hearty approval. This ended his career as surgeon in the army, where he had proved himself so true to the trust placed in him as a citizen and patriot. He now fell back into the ranks of his profession, where he was welcomed by his old friends who had not forgotten him, together with many new ones added, and his services became in constant demand by both rich and poor, and the one was served as well as the other. At last he found that he was like other human beings; his power of endurance began to give way. Realizing his condition for the past few years, during our severe winters he sojourned in various other climes. The climate of Southern California seemed to renew his vigor and there he made a purchase of a fruit farm, where he expected to pass his few remaining years in peace and quietness.
After a few weeks in his new home, his reputation having preceded him, he was, against his better judgment, again prescribing and visiting patients. The result was that while off visiting a patient who was very sick the weather changed, becoming quite cold. He was seized with an acute attack of pleurisy which prostrated him, and then being compelled by high water to move several miles up in the mountains, he finally died a martyr to his profession. And all that is now left of the good physician and faithful friend finds at last a fitting resting place in Iowa soil.
BIOGRAPHIES