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WILLIAM MAXWELL. The subject of this sketch may be truly classed as one of the old settlers of New Berlin Township, as he was born six miles north of the village, May 4, 1831. He was for some time numbered among the agriculturists of the county and in prosecuting his farm work was very industrious, progressive in his ideas, and ready to take advantage of every turn of the tide to improve his circumstances. After spending some time in other occupations he became the proprietor of the New Berlin elevator and as a member of the firm of Maxwell & Batty, is now carrying on an extensive grain trade.
Elias and Sally Maxwell, the parents of our subject, were born in Greene County, Ohio, a short distance from Xenia. The father came to this county in 1829, before the "big snow", and made a location in Island Grove Township, which after his arrival contained five men. He entered five hundred acres of land, and after sojourning here a short time, returned to Greene County, Ohio. He relinquished all but forty acres of his claim, but when he came again to Illinois entered other tracts until he became the possessor of three hundred and sixty acres. This he held at the time of his death, which occurred thirty-seven years ago, when he was forty-seven years of age.
Mr. Elias Maxwell was married three times and of the issue of the first marriage three children are now living, our subject being the second in order of birth. Among the labors performed by Mr. Maxwell in advancing the settlement of this section of Illinois, was his connection with the construction of what is now the Wabash Railroad, for which he had a contract to furnish stringers. He was a man of exemplary habits, never drank any whiskey nor chewed any tobacco. In politics he was an old-line Whig. He was a man of deep religious faith, belonging to the Christian Church.
After the death of his father, our subject remained with his stepmother for some time, controlling and managing the estate, and after the land was divided, began for himself on forty acres, which since the division of townships, is included in New Berlin Township. His entire capital, outside of the land, was a two-horse wagon, and indomitable will, good habits and natural ability. For three years he prosecuted the vocation of a farmer in this county, then went to McLean County, where he broke prairie for three years, receiving $3.50 and $4 per acre for his work. He purchased eighty acres of land in that county, but sold it and returned to his native county in 1852.
October 27, of that year Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage with Hannah Batty, the wedding rites being solemnized at the bride's home in old Berlin Township. Our subject and wife have had nine children born to them of whom four only survive, namely: Elizabeth E., Mary B., Bessie D., and Richard E. The girls are at home, the son lives in New Berlin. The young couple kept a boarding house in New Berlin for a short time, but the health of Mrs. Maxwell failing, they abandoned the enterprise. When the Civil War broke out Mr. Maxwell expressed a strong inclination to enter the service, being imbued with a fervid spirit of patriotism, but upon being examined he was rejected on account of having a defective limb. He then concluded to go to Idaho Territory and for three years he worked in the gold miles, returning home in 1864 with $2,600 in gold dust, etc. At Salt Lake City he converted this into greenbacks, receiving in exchange $2.50 for each $1 he had in dust.
Arriving at his home in the fall Mr. Maxwell secured the position of Assistant Agent at the Wabash depot in the village and after officiating in that capacity for two years, built the New Berlin elevator for the sum of $6,000. He now owns a two-thirds interest, while his brother-in-law has the remaining one-third. The partners have recently put up a magnificent office, as their trade which extends over a large area of country, warrants them in supplying themselves with the best of office fittings and the most convenient arrangements for transacting their business.
Mr. Maxwell possesses the shrewdness and ability which belonged to his father before him, and has made his business life a success by his labor and enterprise in all of his undertakings. Upright in his dealings, he has the confidence of the entire community and a business reputation second to none. Mr. Maxwell has been a Mason for thirty-three years. He is a Republican in politics. He is a believer in the principles of Christianity and identified with the Christian Church at Old Berlin.