copal Church, and have always contributed with their mother to benevolent enterprises. Mrs. Maxwell emigrated from Johnson County to Story County in 1866, the country being in a very primitive condition at that time and sparsely inhabited. She has a well-improved farm of 240 acres, and is also the owner of an excellent residence in the town of Cambridge. Her farm residence is a beautiful brick structure, and she and her children are provided with everything to make life comfortable and enjoyable. She lives surrounded by her many friends and acquaintances, and expects to spend the rest of her days here.
J. W. Maxwell, of the well-known general mercantile firm of Baldwin & Maxwell, at Maxwell, and Iowa Centre, Iowa, was born in Miamisburg, Ohio, April 2, 1834, and in the State of his birth made his home, receiving his education, until 1864, when he determined to seek his fortune farther west. Accordingly he came to Story County, Iowa, and has since been a member of the above-named firm, an account of which will be found in another part of this volume. Mr. Maxwell, while on his way west, resided for a short time in La Fayette, Ind., and he was there united in marriage, in 1857, to Miss Ettie Pifer, a native of that place. In his political views Mr. Maxwell has always been an ardent Republican, and for two terms ably represented Story County on the board of supervisors, and for over fifteen years was a member of the board of school trustees of Indian Creek Township, being largely instrumental in building up and perfecting the school system of the same. To him the rising generation is largely indebted for the large and convenient school buildings at Maxwell and Iowa Centre. Upon coming to Story County, he first located at Iowa Centre, but subsequently removed to Maxwell, where he is now living. In 1867 he became a member of Nevada Lodge No. 99, A. F. & A. M., and 3 X 3 Chapter, and now belongs to St. Aldermar Commandery of Marshalltown, El Kher Shrine at Cedar Rapids, and De Molay Consistory at Lyons, Iowa. Mr. Maxwell is one of the most potent factors in the business growth and prosperity of Story County, and since his identification with it as a business man, no one can justly claim greater credit for the increase of trade in a mercantile way. Bringing to bear many years of experience and thorough business habits, he has made his house one of the most substantial and reliable in this section of the country, and in fact he is known as one of the best business men in the State. Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 63, of the I. O. O. F., at Maxwell, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Richard May is a native of the " Hoosier State," his birth having occurred in Henry County, August 19, 1845. He was the second in a family of two children, the elder member of the family being James, who is married and engaged in farming in the West. Their father was a Kentuckian, who died when his younger son was two years of age, leaving his wife to care for and rear them to honorable manhood. She did so, and is still living to enjoy the society of her children, being now with her son in Southern Kansas, and aged seventy years. Mr. May received a somewhat meager education in the common schools of his native State and Iowa, but he has always been a strong supporter of educational institutions, and in fact contributes liberally to all worthy enterprises. He removed from his native State to Polk County, Iowa, in 1858, and after remaining there two years moved to Story County, where he has ever since made his home, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a fine farm of 175 acres, which is well