Notes |
- William M. Maxwell was born 24 October 1811, in Tazewell, Tazewell County, Virginia, and died 8 August 1892, in Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. He married 17 May 1832, in Tazewell, Tazewell County, Virginia, Elizabeth SENSINTAFFAR, daughter of Jacob SENSINTAFFAR and Nellie (widow of WILSON), who was born 26 July 1813, in Tazewell, Tazewell County, Virginia, and died 12 April 1893, in Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. They are both buried in Brookfield, Linn County, Missouri. They had twelve children.
" Obituary of William M. Maxwell
" Death of Judge Maxwell
"Died, Monday, August 8, at 7 o'clock p.m. at the residence of his son, J. E. Maxwell, William M. Maxwell, aged 80 years, 9 months and 14 days. Judge Maxwell was one of the original settlers of Linn county. He came to this state from Tazewell County, Virginia, in 1838, and settled near the forks of Yellow creek, in Chariton county, where he resided two years, after which he removed to Jefferson (then Locust Creek) township, first living on the land owned by Richard Parker on Turkey Creek southeast of Laclede. He remained on this land but a short time, when he entered the land still known as the Maxwell farm on the Brookfield and Laclede road, building a house on that part now owned by James Stark. He continued to reside in that neighborhood until three years since, when he came to Brookfield to live with his son.
"He was married to Elizabeth Sensintaffer May 17, 1832, who still survives him. Seven sons and two daughters are living and two daughters are dead. He served as judge of the Linn county court from 1854 to 1858 and from 1858 to July, 1860, at which time he resigned. He was a member of the M.E. (Methodist Episcopal) church South, having become a member of that church at 18 years of age. During a large part of his life he was class leader in the M.E. church. His house, in the early days of Linn county, when churches were scarce, was frequently used for church services. His funeral took place at Brookfield cemetery Tuesday August 9, Rev. Grant Creekmore officiating. James Maxwell, of Moulton, Iowa and E. W. Maxwell, of Bates county, Mo., were present."
The History of the Sensintaffar Family, compiled by Emma Sensintaffar Baker, in 1952, contains the following sketch of William M. Maxwell:
"Wm. M. Maxwell was County Judge of Linn County.
"He helped to organize the first M. E. Church in Jefferson Township in 1841, known as the Oak Arbor Church. The meetings were held in a little log schoolhouse located in the northeast corner of the Jacob Sensintaffar farm - the Oak Arbor Schoolhouse. Among the first members of this church were Wm. and Betsey Maxwell, Jacob and Nancy Sensintaffar and their daughter Rebecca, and Mike Whitley.
"About 1875 a new frame schoolhouse was built nearer the center of the district a mile northeast of the little log schoolhouse. This was called "Oak Arbor" also, and is still standing in 1952.
"The following sketch was written by Sarah Duckworth Gross - granddaughter of Wm. and Elisabeth.
""Grandpa Maxwell was tall and slender, light hair and blue eyes. He was a well educated man for his time. Rather dignified looking, but very likable. I don't think he ever had an enemy."
""And Grandma - everybody loved her. She was so kind and good. How I loved to stay there! She was not very tall a little stooped. Her hair was thin and gray as I remember her. She was jolly, and had such a sweet disposition. I never saw her angry.""
|