Son of Jesse K. and Lucy (Taylor) Maynard was born July 26, 1829, in Bakersfield, Vermont. He was reared on a farm, and obtained a part of his education at the Bakersfield Academy, which was one of the first institutions of that kind in the State of Vermont. When nineteen years of age, he began studying preparatory to entering college. During 1852, he entered the Vermont University, at Burlington, but at the end of two years his health failed to such an extent that he had to abandon his studies. He then returned home, and after regaining his health, entered the law office of Judge Wilson. In 1855, he attended the law school at Albany, New York. During the fall of 1855, he was admitted to the Bar, and the following spring came to Bremer County, Iowa, locating in Janesville, where he practiced law two years. In 1858, he formed a partnership with W. W. Fuller, of Harrison County. After a short time, he sold his interest to his partner and returned to Vermont, where, in 1853, he married Maria J. Kimpton. They immediately returned to the west, and Mr. Maynard, in company with Louis Case, purchased the Republican, at Waverly. In a few months time he bought Mr. Case's interest, and continued to edit the paper alone. In June of 1861, he was appointed postmaster of Waverly, and held the office for ten years. During his residence in that city, he held the office of mayor and other local offices. He was trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time their present house of worship was erected. Mr. Maynard settled on his farm in Jackson Township, in March, 1873. In 1877, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and filled that office with honor to himself and to his constituents.