Biography of J. F. Maxson, page 899.  History of De Kalb County, Indiana.  
Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

J. F. Maxson, of the firm of Bassett & Maxson, jewerlers, Waterloo, Ind., is 
a native of Greenbush, near Albany, N.Y., born April 4, 1832, a son of Jehu 
J. and Luna (Tompkins) Maxson, his father of Irish and his mother of Scotch 
descent.  In 1836 his parents moved to Jackson County, Mich., and entered a 
farm from the Government.  His mother died in August, 1839.  Of her seven 
children six are living.  One son, Walter, was killed while in the service 
of his country in the war of the Rebellion.  J. F. Maxson was reared on a 
pioneer farm, at a time when Indians and wild animals infested the country. 
When twenty-one years of age he went to Coldwater, Mich., and there learned 
the jeweler’s trade of  C.H. Thompson.  While there he made the acquaintance 
of Charles Bassett, who was a fellow-apprentice, and after completing their 
trade, in 1859, together they came to Waterloo, Ind., and opened a store, at 
that time the only one of the kind in the place.  They have the largest 
jewelry store in the county, and keep a complete stock of everything in 
their line.  Their shrewd business qualities, combined with their thorough 
knowledge of their trade, has gained for them a high position among the 
business men of the county.  Mr. Maxson was married in 1863 to Martha J., 
daughter of James and Mary Maybee, of Lockport, N.Y.  They have four 
children---Mattie, John C., Agnes and Earl H.  Mr. Maxson cast his first 
presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has since been a strong 
advocate of Republican principles.  He and his wife are members of the 
United Brethren church.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com