Person:John Maxwell (82)

Here is what I know of John S. Maxwell (1825-1909). Sincerely, Bob Ankenbauer

(1) The following is a biography from the 1879 History of Clinton County, Iowa. HON. JOHN S. MAXWELL, Sec. 33; P.O. Elwood; a native of Morgan Co., Ohio; was born Aug. 22, 1825; his life exhibits a career of struggle, energy and self-reliance such as characterize few men; after pursuing a course of study at the common schools, he completed his education at the State University, Athens, Ohio; in 1850, he went to Calaveras Co., Cal., and engaged in mining; at the end of a year, he had accumulated quite an amount of money, with which he entered the mercantile business at Mokelumne Hill, a mining town on the Mokelumne River; in 1852, he left his business in California in care of a partner and went to Australia with the intention of establishing an exporting house; after his arrival there, however, he learned that his partner had squandered the property left in his charge, which amounted to several thousand dollars; he then again engaged in mining, and, at the end of nine months, established a store at Melbourne, Victoria Colany; meeting with fair success, he remained until burned out, when he went to Ballarat, then one of the most noted mining districts in the world, containing a population of over thirty thousand miners; here he started a large store; he continued in the mercantile business until the spring of 1856, when he disposed of his stock and went to Valparaiso, South America, where he remained but a short time before proceeding to Panama, thence to New York City; there he remained until fully recovered from an attack of yellow fever, contracted while upon shipboard; from New York he went to Washington D.C.; thence to Owen Co., Ind., where his parents then resided; in the latter part of 1856, he purchased land where he now resides; Mr. Maxwell has become very popular with all classes; has served as Notary Public over fifteen years; was Supervisor; was also elected a member of the Ninth General Assembly, a position he filled to the honor and credit of his constituents; he is a man of unimpeachable integrity, cool and sound executive ability, as well as benevolent, kindly and social in heart; he is Treasurer of the Pleasant Valley Dairy Association, which was incorporated Feb. 19, 1879. In education and religion. Mr. M. has always taken a deep interest, aiding both in many respects, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a lay minister over ten years. Mr. Maxwell was first married in Hawkins [sic Hocking] Co., Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Guyre; present wife was Miss Julia M., daughter of John R. and Ann Twiss, of this township; they have eleven children-Jennie (now Mrs. John Whitsel), Douglas L., John S. Jr., B. McClellan, Annie J., Morgan R., Richard F., Charles R., Eddie M., Mary and Emma. He owns 420 acres of well-improved land. Republican. (2) Lived about 5 miles south of Elwood, Iowa in 1880. (3) According to family information received from Bill Musgrave (great grandson of John S. Maxwell), John S. Maxwell sold his 420 acres of land near Elwood, Iowa in 1883 and moved to Calhoun County, Iowa near Rockwell City. He farmed there until 1887, sold his farm and moved to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1888-1889, he started a boot and shoe store named J.S. Maxwell Boot & Shoe Co. at 301 W. Walnut and 421 East Locust in Des Moines, Iowa. This business failed in the economic Panic of 1893. During his years in Des Moines, Iowa, he lived at the following residences: 1888-1892, he lived at 519 W. 3rd Street (his sons Richard and Edward were living with him at this time); in 1892, he moved in with his son Richard F. Maxwell at 715 17th Street in Des Moines; son Edward M. also lived with Richard F. during this time; in 1895, John S. Maxwell was living at 1121 2nd Street in the 4th ward of Des Moines. In 1898, John S. Maxwell moved to Stockton, California and entered the shoe business there. His health failed in 1908 and he died the following year. (4) According to family information, John S. Maxwell is buried at Elwood, Clinton County, Iowa in an unmarked grave. His funeral was held at Mitchellville, Iowa where his son John Smith Maxwell Jr. lived. (5) Some family information indicate that John S. Maxwell and Julia M. Twiss had a 12th child named Julia, born in 1864. I believe that the child born in 1864, Annie J. Maxwell, was probably Annie Julia Maxwell. For this reason, I am leaving the list of children at 11. (6) I speculate that Rebecca Guire (first wife of John S. Maxwell) died either in the late 1840's in Ohio, or in 1850-1852 in California. Her husband John S. Maxwell left Ohio for California in 1850, and then traveled to Australia in 1852. It could have been Rebecca's death that led John S. Maxwell to move to California or Australia. (7) Information on travel of John S. Maxwell to Australia. American Passenger Ship - Orpheus. Date of arrival in Sydney, Australia was 1 September 1852. Left San Francisco, California on 20 June 1852. Tonnage of Orpheus was 575. There were 31 passengers (non-steerage) and the rest of the 156 passengers were steerage. No sickness or deaths on board. Captain was James Mooney. (7) Rebecca Guire and John S. Maxwell were not known to have had any children.

1. ↑ From the family files of Mary Lu McClure.