COL.
NORMAN J. MAXWELL, who has resided in Mercer county for more than half
a century, going there in 1852, was born on a farm in Plain Grove
township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1834. His parents
were William and Nancy (Waddell) Maxwell, both natives of Lawrence
county, Pennsylvania, where their respective parents were pioneers. The
grandfather, James Maxwell, had entered some land, he being a native of
eastern Pennsylvania, and his father was born in Scotland. On the
maternal side, Mr. Maxwell comes of Irish ancestry. The father,
William Maxwell, was a farmer by occupation and died in 1851, aged
about fifty years. He reared a family of four sons and four daughters.
The mother outlived her husband about fifteen years.
Colonel
Maxwell obtained a good common school education in the country schools,
but on account of his father’s death had to begin life’s battle for
himself at an early age. When about eighteen years of age he went to
Mercer county to learn the carriage-making trade, with a cousin, who
died within a year, thus changing young Maxwell’s plans for life. He
then turned to agricultural implement-making, working in a factory at
this industry about five years, after which he went to North Liberty,
Pennsylvania. There he remained at the same kind of work, until the
Civil war broke out, and in that conflict proved himself a brave and
gallant soldier, achieving high honors. He enlisted August 28, 1861,
and was mustered into the army as a private soldier, in Company E, One
Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known as the “round head
regiment.” A few days after he was mustered in, he was promoted to
second sergeant, and in October, 1861, was made second lieutenant. Six
months later he was promoted to first lieutenant and March 1, 1863, was
made captain of his company. April 24, 1863, he was promoted to major,
and December 11, 1864, to be colonel; April i8, 1865, he was breveted
brigadier-general. He was made a colonel April i8, 1865, for gallantry
at Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865. He was mustered out of service with
his regiment, July 24, 1865, having served four years. He very
naturally found a place among the members of the Grand Army of the
Republic, when that organization was perfected. He is also a member of
the Loyal Legion, serving some eight years as adjutant and four years
as commander of the Soldiers’ Home at Erie, Pennsylvania. His military
career was all in one regiment and all promotions made by reason of
true merit.
In 1866 he went to Grove City, where he located and
has since resided and has been engaged in mercantile pursuits,
continuing the same about twenty years. He is active in Masonry, and is
now a Master Mason. In his church relations the Colonel is a member of
the Presbyterian church. He was married in 1858 to Elizabeth A.
Campbell, who died October 2, 1906. One daughter, Flora E., wife of
Charles Welch, of Grove City, has been born to the Colonel and wife.
Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, Vol. I, pages 513-514 |
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