My Genealogy Hound

SPAFFORD W. MAXWELL, farmer and Justice of the Peace; P. O. Troy; he was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1836; is a son of Thomas and Susanna (Jones) Maxwell, who came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1806; they were the parents of four children, viz., Stephen J., Martha A., deceased, Rachel and Spafford W. The grandfather, Thomas, was also born in New Jersey. The great grandfather, Thomas, was a native of Scotland, and came from Edinburgh to New York in a very early day, prior to the Revolutionary war; he was a tailor by trade. Thomas Maxwell, the father, came to Miami Co. in the fall of 1839, and located upon the same farm upon which Esquire Maxwell now lives. This is one of the old pioneer farms, which was first purchased by Caleb Hathaway, one of the first settlers of Miami Co., who located here in 1798, opened out and cleared up the farm. Thomas bought the farm of Mr. Hathaway at above date (1839), and has always resided here since; is still living with his son, and is now about 80 years of age. Spafford Maxwell, our subject, remained with his father till his marriage, which event occurred Jan. 8, 1868, when he was united with Rachel A. Devol, daughter of Harrison and Jane L. Devol; he was born in Ohio, and she in Pennsylvania, but came with her parents to Ohio when about 13 years of age; by this union they have had seven children, viz., Minnie Jane, born Nov. 19, 1869; Walter Thomas, born Dec. 13, 1871; Sallie E., born Jan. 31, 1873; Anna May, born May 7, 1875; Bertha and Merta (twins), Feb. 4, 1877; Wilbur D. born Aug. 11, 1879. After his marriage, he rented farms until the spring of 1874, when he bought his father’s farm, upon which he has since resided. He has an excellent farm, consisting of 103 acres of land with good buildings, and every convenience. Mr. Maxwell is, politically, a Democrat; was elected Justice of the Peace in April, 1876, and is now serving his second term of office; he was also one of the patriots who, in the war of the rebellion, went to his country’s defense, enlisting in the 147th O. V. I. in the 100-day service; he served four months, when he received his discharge, and was mustered out at Camp Denison and returned home. He holds a membership in the First Presbyterian Church at Troy, his membership dating back for twenty-two years.