James Buchanan Maxwell
James Buchanan Maxwell, who has been identified with the business affairs of Mingo, Ohio, since October 19, 1882, has river interests and is extensively engaged in ferrying, and is a stockholder of the Tri-State Investment Company. He was born February 13, 1858, on a farm in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Watters) Maxwell, and comes of one of the early pioneer families of Washington County. The Maxwell family is of Scotch-Irish descent.
Daniel Maxwell was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of sixty-six years at Wheeling, W. Va., where he had located about 1867. His wife was a native of Wheeling, and died there at the age of fifty-five years. Daniel and Sarah Maxwell were the parents of twelve children: William; James Buchanan; John, deceased; Maggie, who is the wife of William Horner; Laura; Clara M., and George, both deceased; Catherine; Charles, deceased; Daniel S.; Anna, who is the widow of Charles Frieberger, and Clarence.
James B. Maxwell was seven years of age when his parents removed to Wheeling, and after attending the local schools for three terms began working as a puddler in the La Belle Iron Works. In 1882, when the Laughlin Junction Iron, Steel and Nail Company was estalilished, he came to Mingo and worked with that concern as a puddler until that form of work was abolished. He was then elected marshal of Mingo on the Democratic ticket, and served five successive terms in that capacity, being elected for the last two terms on the Independent ticket. Since April, 1892, Mr. Maxwell has been engaged in ferrying. He has served as a member of the council, board of trade, and is at present a member of the Mingo School Board. Mr. Maxwell is the owner of several pieces of residence property at Mingo Junction.
Mr. Maxwell was first united in marriage with Louise Baker, who died in Wheeling, W. Va., leaving one child, John William, a resident of Glassport, Pa., who married Minnie Garrety and has two children, Gladys and Anna. Mr. Maxwell formed a second union on May 19, 1886, with Catherine Mazingo, and to them have been born: Alma, who married Edwin Galvin, and they have one child, Catherine; Rhea; James A. Arthur; Delia V., and Charles, who died aged two years and two weeks.
Mr. Maxwell is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, degree of Pocahontas, of which he is also a trustee; the Golden Eagles; F. O. E.; Uniform Bank of Knights of Pythias, of which he is trustee, and is also a member of the German Schutzen Club, of Mingo Junction.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910