McDonough ILGenWeb

MAXWELL, Fred H., one of the most prominent citizens of Bardolph, McDonough County, Ill., who has already crowded into his comparatively brief career the accomplishments usually attending a much later period of successful life, and who in addition to his duties as owner and publisher of the "Bardolph News," is also conducting a real-estate business, second in the extent of its transactions to none in his locality, was born in Bardolph, February 6, 1875, a son of Henry A. and Mary E. (Kee) Maxwell, the former a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Thomas Maxwell, the paternal grandfather, was also a native of Ohio, born in the same county as his son above mentioned, and his wife, Ann (Baymiller) Maxwell, born in Pennsylvania, is still living. The great-grandfather, Robert Maxwell, was of Scotch nativity. Of the ancestry on the maternal side, no record is available except the mere name of William A. Kee, the grandfather, whose wife's given name was Mary. To Henry A. Maxwell and his wife were born thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, all of whom are living except one daughter, the first born, who died in infancy. Fred H. Maxwell was educated in the Bardolph schools, where he pursued his studies until he reached the age of eighteen years, was then employed for four years as a clerk in the hardware store of R. C. Wilcox, and at the end of that period bought the "Bardolph News," which he has since continued to publish, conducting a job-printing department in connection with the work of issuing the paper. His brother, Harry Maxwell, acts in the capacity of foreman of the concern. In 1899 Mr. Maxwell engaged in the real-estate business, and during the year 1905 negotiated the sale of twenty-six farms located in McDonough County, a number exceeding the combined farm sales of all the other real-estate offices in McDonough County. His business increased to phenomenal extent, and he found it advisable to open a branch real-estate office in Macomb, which is also doing a flourishing business.

On March 11, 1897, Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage with Nellie B. Massey, who was born in Macomb, Ill., and there received her education in the public schools. Mrs. Maxwell is a daughter of Robert H. and Pauline (Taylor) Massey, both natives of Illinois. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell has been blessed with two children, namely: Ralph H., born June 15, 1899; and Robert F., born August 22, 1905. The first born, Ralph H., died on September 11, 1906, aged seven years, two months and twenty-seven days.

In politics, Mr. Maxwell is allied with the Democratic party, and wields no inconsiderable influence with the local councils of that organization. He is a member of the McDonough County Democratic Central Committee, and filled the office of Township Clerk for four years with a creditable efficiency and fidelity. In 1902 he was the candidate of his party for Treasurer of McDonough County, but as that county is normally Republican, he was defeated, leading the Democratic ticket, however, by a considerable margin. Fraternally, Mr. Maxwell is identified with the A. F. & A. M., Bardolph Lodge No. 572; the I. O. O. F., Bardolph Lodge No. 372; and the Macomb Lodge of the B. P. O. E. He is one of the best informed and most enterprising and successful among the younger element of the progressive and representative men of McDonough County.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 946-947, extracted 12 Sep 2019 by Norma Hass.