Edward Maxwell, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .

Transcribed biography of Edward Maxwell

EDWARD MAXWELL

Edward Maxwell was born in 1840 on a farm in LaPorte County, son of John and Dorinda Maxwell, who came to this country from Dublin, Ireland in 1830. They later moved to a farm in Pleasant Twp. one and one-half mile north of Kouts, living with his family and farmed the home place.

Later, he and his bride Mary Ann Robison resided on their own farm of 120 acres also located in Pleasant Twp., his wife Mary Ann preceeded him in death in 1899 leaving a family of six children ranging from age fifteen to three years old, he keeping the family home together.

We all attended the old Five Point School located just north-west of Kouts, later being destroyed by a tornado. As children I recall watching the first auto cars that were in this area and wondering who was more frightened, our pet pony or us children. They sure were a strange sight to all of us.

Oscar Maxwell operated a Livery Stable, a Service Station and drove an Oil Truck and School Bus for many years in Kouts. He was president of the Kouts town board and when State Highway 49 was paved through Kouts Oscar cut the ribbon opening the paved main street. Oscar also was the first to make a phone call when the dial system was connected. He passed away in 1973, leaving a daughter, Rose Kniefel, and a son, Cecil, both residing in Kouts. His family also consists of four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Burney Maxwell, the third son was a veteran of World War I and a charter member of Kouts American Legion Post 301. Burney served as Sheriff of Porter County Jan. 1, 1929 until Jan. 1, 1933. He then lived on his farm in Pleasant Twpm., where he farmed for a number of years. Later moving into Kouts he served as plant guard at Kingsburg Ordinance Plant during World War II. At the time of his death in 1969 he was Justice of Peace of Pleasant Twp. Burney Maxwell left one stepson, Howard Bailey of Hebron, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

The oldest daughter of the Edward Maxwell family, Mabel Knoll, passed away in 1957 leaving one daughter, Rubie Oakley of Rensselaer, two grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Ovid Maxwell spent his entire life in and around Kouts working as a farm hand. He passed away in 1959.

The youngest daughter, Maria Weiberg, passed away in 1952 after living in the Kouts area many of her years. Left in this branch of the Maxwell family is one daughter, Doris Preden of Cedar Lake, and a son, Burney Weiberg of Wisconsin, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Fanny Maxwell Vergin the only living member of this family was married to Harry Vergin, residing mostly in Porter Twp. on their farm. Mr. Vergin passed away in 1937. Mrs. Vergin has one son, Jerrold L. of Valparaiso, and one daughter, Vera Hough of Hebron, three grandchildren, Donald Vergin, Ronald Hough, and Bobbie Clinton, and 9 great-grandchildren.
 


Source: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County. 1976. A Biographical History of Porter County, Indiana. Valparaiso, Indiana: American Revolution Bicentennial Committee of Porter County, Inc. 180 p.
Page(s) in Source: 134-135

This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.

Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook

 

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