Rev. Darwin E. Maxson, A.M.D.D., born at Plainfield, Otsego Co., Sept. 15, 1822, died at Alfred, Feb. 22, 1895. His ancestors were Scotch Irish. Joel Maxson, a native of Hopkinton, R. I., early moved to Berlin, N.Y., His wife was Rachael Coon, daughter of Joshua. Their son, Joshua G. Maxson married Lois, daughter of Amos and Phoebe (Covey) Burkick. Darwin E. Maxson was sixth of their 12 children. His Father, a lease-hold farmer, became blind in the prime of life, and the support of the family devolved largely upon the children. Dawrin when 13 became a member of the Seventh Day Baptist church at Brookfield, N.Y. He served a two-years apprenticeship at blacksmithing, worked two years as a journeyman, then seems to have cared for his father['s] family, and attended and taught school until 1845 when he passed two years teaching and working at Westerly, R.I. He came to Alfred in 1847, attended Alfred Academy for two years supporting himself by teaching and other labors. In 1849 he became a member of the band of teachers, Kenyon, Sayles & Co.' which conducted the academy until it was chartered as an university. In 1851 he was admitted as a 'senior' in Brown University and at the end of the year received his diploma. He then was professor of natural history and natural science in Alfred University until November, 1861, when he enlisted. While teaching he used both to preach and lecture, and showed rare powers as an opponent of intemperance and slavery. July 7, 1853, he was ordained as a minister and became pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church of Hartsville for several years. After the Civil War he held pastorates at Milton, Wis., Plainfield, N.J., Hornellsville, Hartsville and in the Second Church of Alfred. In 1879 he was elected professor of church polity and pastoral theology in Alfred University, and in 1883 took a course of instruction in Union Theological Seminary. He held this office as long as his health would admit and was then elected 'Emeritus Professor.' Mr. Maxson belonged to the old time 'Liberty' party in politics, and was elected member of assembly from the second district of this county in 1859 as a Republican and to the same office by the same party in Rock county, Wis., in 1869. He later was a Prohibitionist. His Alfred home was ever a 'station' of the 'underground railroad' when that was in operation. He was elected and commissioned chaplain of his 85th N.Y., regiment soon after his enlistment, and did valuable service in the army of the Potomac until malarial fever caused his resignation, June 23, 1862. From the effects of this fever he died. He married Hannah A., daughter of Luke and Irene (Fisk) Green in 1849. Their children were: Flora (dec.), Carrie (Mrs. Robert Gorton of Plainfield, N.J.) and Dollie, wife of Prof. C. M. Post, M.D. of Alfred University. Mr. Maxson was a man of strong convictions and high moral ideas. These he boldly advocated with a zeal and ability which made him a leading spirit in whatever position he was placed.
