Representative John S. Maxwell View All Years
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John S. Maxwell
Clinton County
A native of Morgan County, Ohio; was born August 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 County, California, 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 the 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. He then again engaged in mining, and, at the end of nine months, established a store at Melbourne, Victoria Colony. 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. In the latter part of 1856, he purchased land in Elwood. Mr. Maxwell has become very popular with all classes. He served as Notary Public, was Supervisor and also elected a member of the Ninth General Assembly, a position he filled to the honor and credit of his constituents. He is Treasurer of the Pleasant Valley Dairy Association. 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. Mr. Maxwell was married in Hawkins County, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Guyre. He owns 420 acres of well-improved land. He is a Republican.
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