Darwin Elsworth Maxson was born to Russel J. and Annie Crandall Maxson on December 13, 1871, in Farina, Ill. He was the first of eleven children; five sisters and one brother still survive.
Deacon Maxson spent his early youth in Nortonville, Kan. He was baptized and joined the Seventh Day Baptist church there on March 1, 1884. Later he moved with his folks to Smyth, S. D. While there he married Eunice Huffman on September 14, 1895. To this union were born seven children: Mrs. Ruth Spinks of North Little Rock, Mrs. Grace Lewis of Siloam Springs, Mrs. Geneva Holland of Crossett, all in Arkansas; Russel of Milton, Wis., Fitch of Bridgeton, N. J., Paul, pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church in Berlin, N. Y., and Carl, chaplain at King's Park Hospital, N. Y. All of Deacon Maxson's children survive, as do 18 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. His wife died in 1936.
Mr. Maxson was active in the Seventh Day Baptist church in Smyth, S. D., and one of the charter members of the Gentry Seventh Day Baptist church in Arkansas when he moved with his wife and three children in 1901 to join his father. He was ordained as deacon of the church in Gentry and served his Lord faithfully for about 35 years in this capacity. He maintained keen interest in the work of the Southwestern Seventh Day Baptist Association and the denomination until his death. He became a charter member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church of Little Rock, Ark., in 1959, bringing his letter from the Gentry church which had disbanded in 1954.
Deacon Maxson was much loved by all who knew him. His interest in youth, Bible Study, and his faith in Jesus Christ stayed with him until the time of his death (Nov. 20, 1962). He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Grace Lewis, in Siloam Springs where he had lived for several years. His pastor, Paul B. Osborn, conducted a graveside service with members of the family on Nov. 30, 1962. A brief memorial service was held in Little Rock on December 8.
P. B. O.
