Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
WILLIAM M. MAXWELL. In writing a work of the nature of the one in hand, the biographer is surprised at the preponderance of Greene county citizens who were born in Tennessee or are sons of Tennessee parents. This locality has been lucky in securing such a good class of citizens, and it is safe to say that it would not now be nearly so prosperous had not these courageous, industrious and law-abiding people cast their lots here. William M. Maxwell is among the number. His earlier years were spent in agricultural pursuits, later he engaged in the grocery business in Springfield in various places for a period of many years, and he is now serving as justice of the peace.
Mr. Maxwell was born in Warren county, Tennessee, October 12, 1867. He is a son of Rufus and Jane (Vickers) Maxwell. The father was born in Jackson county, Alabama, and there he was reared to manhood, and was educated in the early day schools there; he was married in Scottsboro, that state, and he spent his life engaged in general farming and stock raising in his native state and in Tennessee, dying at Valley Head, Alabama, in 1911. Politically, he was a Democrat. The mother of our subject attended the common schools and she is still living in Warren county, Tennessee, being now advanced in years.
William M. Maxwell, who was the only child of his parents, grew to manhood on the homestead in Warren county, Tennessee, where he assisted his father with the general farm work when he became of proper age, and there he received a limited education in the public schools. He began life as a farmer, which he continued successfully until 1898, when he left his native state and came to Springfield, Missouri. He first engaged in the grocery business, in which he was uniformly successful, and operated a store at several different places, in later years his location being on West Commercial street. Four years ago he moved his business to the corner of Broad and Chase streets. He always carried a full line of staple and fancy groceries and, dealing honestly and courteously with his many customers retained their good will, and he continued in this business until in. February, 1914, when he was appointed justice of the peace by the county court for North Campbell township, and he has since been faithfully discharging the duties of the same in a manner that reflects much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He has a very suitable office at 212 1/2 East Commercial street. His decisions are marked by firmness and ability as to law and justice. He owns a -good home on West Chase street.
Mr. Maxwell was married on December 28, 1897, in Lafayette, Georgia, to Bessie Derbery, who was born at Coal City, Georgia, and was a daughter of John and Martha Derbery, natives of that locality in Georgia, also where they were all reared, educated in the common schools and were married. The death of Mrs. Maxwell occurred on August 1, 1907. She was a woman of many of the winning characteristics of the Southern lady and was a favorite with her many friends.
To Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell one child was born, William Rufus, whose birth occurred in Springfield, Missouri, October 28, 1898. He is now attending high school.
Politically, Mr. Maxwell is a Democrat and loyal in his affiliations to the party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent, Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen. Religiously, he is a member of the Central Christian church.
[1624-1625]
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y
Table of Contents | Keyword Search | Greene County History Home | Local History Home