- Rev. Darwin E[ldridge] MAXSON, A.M.D.D., born at Plainfield,
Otsego Co., Sept. 15, 1822,
- died at Alfred, Feb. 22, 1895. His ancestors were Scotch
Irish. Joel MAXSON, a native of Hopkinton, R.I., early moved
to Berlin, N.Y., His wife was Rachael COON, daughter of Joshua.
There son, Joshua G. MAXSON married Lois, daughter of Amos
and Phoebe (COVEY) BURDICK.
- Darwin E. MAXSON was sixth of their 12 children. His father,
a lease-hold farmer, became
- blind in the prime of life, and the support of the family
devolved largely upon the children. Darwin when 13 became a
member of the Seventh Day Baptist church at Brookfield, N.Y.
He served a two-years apprenticeship at blacksmithing, worked
two years as a journeyman, then seems to have cared for his father['s]
family, and attended and taught school until 1845 when he passed
two years teaching and working at Westerly, R.I. He came to
Alfred in 1847, attended Alfred Academy for two years supporting
himself by teaching and other labors. In 1849 he became a member
of the band of teachers, Kenyon, Sayles & Co." which
conducted the academy until it was chartered as an university.
In 1851 he was admitted as a "senior" in Brown University
and at the end of the year received his diploma. He then was
professor of natural history and natural science in Alfred University
until November, 1861, when he enlisted. While teaching he used
both to preach and lecture, and showed rare powers as an opponent
of intemperance and slavery. July 7, 1853, he was ordained
as a minister and became pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church
of Hartsville for several years. After the Civil War he held
pastorates at Milton, Wis., Plainfield, N.J., Hornellsville,
Hartsville and in the Second Church of Alfred. In 1879 he was
elected professor of church polity and pastoral theology in Alfred
University, and in 1883 took a course of instruction in Union
Theological Seminary. He held this office as long as his health
would admit and was then elected "Emeritus Professor."
- Mr. MAXSON belonged to the old time "Liberty" party
in politics, and was elected member of
- assembly from the second district of this county in 1859
as a Republican and to the same office by the same party in Rock
county, Wis., in 1869. He later was a Prohibitionist. His
Alfred home was ever a "station" of the "underground
railroad" when that was in operation. He was elected and
commissioned chaplain of his 85th N.Y., regiment soon after his
enlistment, and did valuable service in the army of the Potaomac
until malarial fever caused his resignation, June 23, 1862.
From the effects of this fever he died. He married Hannah
A., daughter of Luke and Irene (Fisk) GREEN in 1849. Their
children were: Flora (dec.), Carrie (Mrs. Robert GORTON of Plainfield,
N.J.) and Dollie, wife of Prof. C. M. POST, M.D., of Alfred University.
Mr. MAXSON was a man of strong convictions and high moral ideas.
These he boldly advocated with a zeal and ability which made
him a leading spirit in whatever position he was placed.
-
- Taken from "Allegany County and its People. A Centennial
Memorial History of Allegany County, New York" by John S.
Minard; (c)1896, p. 651.
-
- [Note: Rev. MAXSON was the 6th pastor of the Milton SDB
Church, serving from 1864 to 1871.]
-
- Courtesy of Jon Saunders
|