My Genealogy Hound

Michael Burkhalter Maxwell, farmer and ex-county surveyor of Benton County, Ark., is the oldest of six surviving members of a family of twelve children born to Ebenezer and Martha (Griffin) Maxwell, and was born in Marion County, Tenn., in 1880. The father was of German descent, born in Georgia in 1803, and was a blacksmith, gun-smith and farmer by occupation. When a young man he went to Tennessee with his parents, Thomas and Mary (Campbell) Maxwell, and was married in that State. In 1852 he became a citizen of Benton County, Ark., and entered about 600 acres of land near the county seat. His death occurred about 1871 or 1872. His wife was of English descent, born in South Carolina in 1802, and died in 1874. About the time of her marriage she was living in Greene County. Tenn. Her son Michael B., was educated at Sam Houston Academy, at Jasper, Tenn., and the University of Tennessee, at Knoxville, but did not graduate at the latter institution owing to failing health. A portion of the time during his academic and collegiate course he was engaged in teaching school, and in 1852 he came to Benton County, and began clerking for James A. Dickson, general merchant, of Bentonville, remaining with him two years. In 1853 he was elected county surveyor to fill a vacancy, and in 1854 was re-elected. He declined a re-nomination in 1856, but was again elected to the office in 1858, and also in 1860 and 1862. From 1866 to 1886 he has held the office with the exception of but a few years. In 1857 he was married to Miss America J. Woods, a daughter of William H. and Mary (Dickson) Woods. Mrs. Maxwell was born in Benton County, Ark., in 1839, and is the mother of nine children: Robert S.; Martha I., widow of George Bone; Mary E., wife of J. R. Woods; John H., Sarah J., Margaret C., Emma M., William C. and Myrtie M. Mr. Maxwell owns 448 acres of land, and has resided on his present farm since 1873. He is very conservative in politics, and has voted both the Republican and Democratic tickets. He is a strong Prohibitionist, and intends [September, 1888,] voting that ticket during the presidential election of 1888. He and his wife have long been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and all the children are members with the exception of the youngest.