DeWitt Clinton Maxson 1832-1898

MAXSON, SPURGEON, DAVENPORT, HUDDLER, CAMPBELL, DEARDORFF

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 5/24/2021 at 15:19:04

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, October 27, 1898
Page 1

DeWitt Clinton Maxson died at this home in Fredonia on the morning of October 25th, after an illness of over two weeks duration. Another on of Louisa county's sterling citizens has gone to his long rest.

Mr. Maxson was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, December 15, 1832, and came with his father to Iowa in June, 1837; settling at Fredonia, where he has ever since resided, except for a short period in California in 1862, where he went temporarily with an invalid wife.

Mr. Maxson came of sturdy stock and possessed in a large degree those elements that go to make up the wealth of American manhood. He was one of the many hardy pioneers of Iowa, who, by their industry, ability, integrity and self- sacrifice built up this great commonwealth. He was modest and unassuming and never sought any public honors, though eminently qualified to fill any position to which he might be called. His strict integrity was known to every one, and it was a common expression that "D.

Maxson's word is as good as his bond." He was an honored member of Columbus Junction Lodge 108 A. F. & A. M., having joined in the year 1857, while the lodge was located at Columbus City, and was at the time of his death director in the Farmers & Merchants bank of Columbus Junction. Mr. Maxson was known for his uniform kindness to all whom he met and this was one of his crowning virtues. Free from the infirmatives of temper that mark the average man, charitable, indulgent and kind; he never spoke harshly or unkindly to anyone, and if occasion demanded the speaking of an unpleasant truth about anyone, it was always given with an apologetic tone that removed all its sting. This side of Mr Maxson's nature found full development in the home circle of a most excellent family, upon whom he lavished the full measure of his warm affection and they returned it to the fullest extent.

He married first in 1856 to Nancy Spurgeon, a sister of Rhoda Chapman and Nelson Spurgeon, both of this county. This wife died May 28, 1863, in California, leaving a daughter Ruby, now Mrs. Davenport living at Los Angeles, Cal., and a son, John K., now a prominent physician of Lincoln, Neb.

He was married again in 1864 to Carrie F. Huddler, who survives him with seven children, Ava Campbell, Osta Deardorff, who reside at Kansas City, Mo., Urva and Dela Maxson, living at Mobile, Ala., Genevra, Frances and Willie May, three younger daughters at home.

DeWitt Maxson lived a life above reproach, charitable, warmhearted, kind, loving, honest in his dealings, true to his family and his friends. His was a life to be commended. As a part of this great, composite world of humanity, he always his duty as a husband, as a father, and as a citizen, cheerfully and with out complaint. He had not yet reached the allotted three score and ten years when he was stricken with the dread disease that ended in his death. All that loving hands could do to minister to his wants or medical skill avail to alleviate his suffering was done, but it was all to no purpose for the final summons had come. With almost prophetic vision, when first taken ill, Mr. Maxso saw and foretold that his illness would be fatal, and bravely and manfully as he had lived, without a single complaint or regret, with full knowledge of his impending dissolution, he went fearlessly down into the valley of the shadow of death. All that is mortal of D. C. Maxson was laid to rest in the Fredonia cemetery on Thursday, October 27th.