My Genealogy Hound

GROVE T. MAXSON. This leading and representative citizen of the village of Cortland bears an important relation to the business life of the community as manager of the well-known house of Maxson & Starin, dealers in Scranton coal, soft coal, wood, lime, plaster, fertilizers, etc., and as a member of the firm of G. T. Maxson & Co., manufacturers of artificial stone, and layers of Portland cement side-walks and driveways. In him are united the splendid business qualifications of energy, method and strict probity.

Mr. Maxson was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., and is a son of Norman and Caroline (Eaton) Maxson. Norman Maxson was a highly respected agriculturist of Onondaga County, and very progressive and wide-awake for his time. He lived to be seventy-five years of age, leaving at his death a widow and a large family of children, who had grown up, and were occupying then positions of responsibility in various walks of life.

Our subject’s first days of manhood were spent at agricultural pursuits on his father’s farm. He then entered upon the manufacture of oil cloth, the firm being known as the Homer Oil Cloth Co., the product being chiefly used for carriages and cutters. Two years more were spent in Onondaga County, before coming to Cortland, doing business under the firm name of Farnham & Maxson in wholesale and retail meats, cattle, and stock of all kinds. When his cousin, Faron Maxson, brother of Byron Maxson of the firm of Maxson & Starin, died, he took his place as manager of the company, and has since directed the business of one of the largest coal houses in Cortland County. It is likewise one of the oldest, for it was thrown open for the patronage of the people and conducted from that date until 1865 by S. D. Freer. The premises occupied by the company are conveniently located near the D., F. & W. R. R. depot, and include a large warehouse, which is completely stocked with all grades of Scranton coal, lime and plaster, which are procured direct from the mines and manufacturers, and are supplied to the trade at the lowest prices. The magnitude of their trade may be imagined from the statement that they handle upwards of 12,000 tons of their products in a year. They are also sole agents for Mape’s Special Manures, Pacific Guano, and Empire Portland Cement. On account of the location and the number of men employed, every facility is enjoyed for the prompt fulfillment of all orders, whether large or small. The firm enjoys exceptional advantages in the way of purchasing supplies, and being keen and obliging business men, they share these favors with their customers, thereby attracting a large patronage. The house of Maxson & Starin was established as constituted at present in 1884, since which time it has continued to grow with ever increasing prosperity, for which our subject by his wise direction of affairs is in no small degree responsible. He has added many improvements that suggested themselves to his fertile mind, and has added wonderfully to the efficiency of the service. The firm of G. T. Maxson & Co., of which our subject is the head, has a wide-established reputation, that extends over New York, Pennsylvania and New England. They do a large business in laying cement walks and drive-ways, and in this work are unexcelled by any other firm in the Empire State.

Mr. Maxson in his political preferences is decided, and unhesitatingly avows his allegiance to Republican doctrines and principles. He and his wife are attendants of the Baptist Church. He is a member of Preble Lodge, I. O. O. F. His wife, Etta, is a daughter of one of the representative and substantial business men of Homer. They have four children, namely: Earl E. and Paul J., twins, nine years of age; Mark H., seven years old; and Walter, who has passed the five year mark on the journey of life.