Mary F. Maxson was born November 24, 1822, at Rome, Oneida county, N. Y., and died at Milton Junction, Wis., July 26, 1912 lacking not quite four months of being ninety years of age. Her parents were Silas Holcomb and Freelove Remington Holcomb.
She was married September 29, 1846, that is sixty-six years ago, to Sylvanus C. Maxson. Soon after their marriage they removed to Allegany county, New York, where they lived for eight years; removing in 1854 to Milton, Wis. Their first home in this new country was on a farm two miles east of Milton at what is known as Vickerman's Corners. Here for a second time they cleared a new farm, and founded a home.
Mr. Maxson, the husband, died December 28, 1861, leaving her a widow at the age of 39 years. To this couple were born three children; the eldest, Fidello C. Maxson, now of Milwaukee, Dr. Albert S. Maxson of Milton Junction, and a daughter born shortly after the father's death, but who remained but a year and a half to cheer the heart of the lonely mother.
For half a century Mrs. Maxson had been a widow. In the earlier years of her widowhood she maintained a home for her children. In these later years she shared the home of her youngest son, whose skill so constantly drawn upon in kindly ministry prolonged and made more comfortable her closing days, and where she received the affectionate care of her, who has been a true daughter.
Mrs. Maxson's father was a Congregationalist, but her mother was a Baptist, and the daughter accepted as hers the faith of her mother, and was early baptized into that connection. Later, but while yet a young woman, she made a thorough study of the Bible as it relates to the Sabbath question, and became a conscientious Sabbath keeper. Being a Baptist, she now became a Seventh Day Baptist and joined a church of that faith. When she and her husband came to this country they joined the church of their faith in Milton and later she became a constituent member of the Milton Junction church.
She has been a faithful and consistent member, having the respect of all who knew her. Trained in the Calvinism of the old school, or perhaps more correctly, breathing its atmosphere in her early life, duty and judgment were emphasized in her system of thought. Elements of belief which need a fresh emphasis in our generation. But her faith was in Jesus Christ. In him she trusted and had hope. Him she loved, and through a long life she was his faithful follower.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the S. D. B. church, Rev. A. J. C. Bond officiating, assisted by Rev. O. S. Mills.
Those from a distance who were her to attend the funeral were Fidello Maxson and son, Dr. Frank Maxson, and daughter, Mrs. Delia Kilbourne, of Milwaukee.
