Samuel S. Maxwell
James Maxwell, the grandfather of the above, came from Scotland with his wife and three children to the American Colonies about 1770, and located in Pennsylvania. Two of his sons served as soldiers in the Revolutionary war. John, one of the sons, was the father of Samuel. He was but a small boy when brought to America. He was born in 1763, and married Ruth Cypherd, of Baltimore, about 1790. They raised a family of eleven children. In 1800 they emigrated to Ohio and located in what is now Jefferson County, but afterward removed to Tuscarawas County, where he died in 1823. His wife died in 1840. Of this family of eleven children only one came to Shelby County, viz., Samuel, the subject of this sketch. He was born in.Pennsylvania in 1795, and resided with his parents until he became of age. In 1816 he married Mary Wagner, of Montgomery County. They afterward located in Montgomery County. Here he purchased land and built a mill, and at the same time carried on several mechanical shops, such as smithing, cooperage, etc. He was a natural business man. He never learned a trade or worked much on a farm, but carried on the business quite extensively. While in Montgomery County he was justice of the peace for a number of years. In 1835 he moved with his wife and six children to Shelby County and bought a mill in Perry Township, and also 160 acres of land. Shortly afterward he built a saw-mill on Mosquito Creek, which he soon followed with a new grist mill. He was one of the successful business men of Shelby County. At the time of his death he was the owner of 700 acres of land in Shelby County, and 500 acres elsewhere. They raised a family of seven children, viz., Benjamin W., Margaret, John, Abram, Hannah, Ruth, and Ellen S. Of this number there are but two left in the county, Benjamin W., of Sidney, and Hannah, the wife of William Jackson. Mr. Maxwell was a highly esteemed citizen. He was filling the office of county commissioner at the time of his death in 1874. His wife died in 1873.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883