J. R. Maxwell - M. D.    

Dr. J. R. Maxwell, physician and surgeon, occupies an enviable position in medical circles of Washington county, and for more than twenty years has engaged in continuous practice in the city of Washington, Pennsylvania, enjoying that success which is the legitimate reward of concentrated effort and professional skill. He was born January 16, 1878, in Mount Pleasant township, this county, and his father, Robert Graham Maxwell, was a native of Hopewell township, Pennsylvania. He was born in the village of Buffalo in 1840 and his death occurred in Mount Pleasant township in 1881. He was one of the substantial farmers of that locality and also engaged in raising high-grade stock. He was affiliated with the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian church, of which he was choir leader for a number of years, and his political view’s were in accord with the platform and principals of the republican party.

John and Elizabeth (Dinsmore) Maxwell, the former of whom was born in Hopewell township in 1810 and there passed away in 1882. As a young man he learned the trades of coopering and cabinet-making, in which he became expert, and in later life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, specializing in the breeding of fine sheep. His wife was also a lifelong resident of Hopewell township. Hannah Jane (Caldwell) Maxwell, the mother of Dr. J. R. Maxwell, was born in 1850 in Hopewell township, and passed away in Washington, August 9, 1910. She was a daughter of Robert Smily Caldwell, who was born in 1820 in Hopewell township, in which he always resided, and passed away in 1903, on the farm adjacent to his father’s homestead. He devoted his energies to the cultivation of the soil and in politics was a republican, while his life was guided by the teachings of the Presbyterian church. His wife, Caroline (Vance) Caldwell, was born in Cross Creek township, a daughter of William and Hannah (Patterson) Vance and a granddaughter of William Patterson, whose home was at Patterson’s Mill, near West Middletown, Pennsylvania.

J. R. Maxwell attended the public schools of Hopewell township, Pennsylvania, and in 1894 completed a course in Hickory Academy. He received the A. B. degree from Washington and Jefferson College in 1898 and in 1901 was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. He was an interne at Mercy Hospital for a year and then opened an office in Washington, Pennsylvania, where he has since made his home. He is a member of the staff of Washington Hospital and conducts a large general practice. He is well versed in the scientific principles of his profession and is constantly augmenting his knowledge and ability by broad reading and close observation of the cases intrusted to his care.

In June, 1906, Dr. Maxwell was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Patterson, who was born March 2, 1878, a daughter of Josiah and Susan (Baldwin) Patterson. The latter was a native of South Strabane township, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Amanda (Jeffeths) Baldwin of Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Patterson was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in 1837 and passed away in Washington, this state, in 1920. He served in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Civil war and afterward followed the occupation of farming until his demise. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and a republican in his political views. Dr. and Mrs. Maxwell have a family of five children: Florence Jane, who was born April 7, 1907; Susan Mary, born January 8, 1909; Elizabeth, born September 15. 1913; James Dinsmore, born December 12, 1914; and Samuel Vance, who was born June 19, 1916.

Mrs. Maxwell received her elementary training in the public schools of South Strabane township and in 1898 was graduated from the normal school in California, Pennsylvania, after which she engaged in teaching for a number of years. She comes of colonial stock and is connected with the Pennsylvania Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is also a member of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine of Pittsburgh. Dr. Maxwell is a Mason, belonging to Sunset Lodge, No. 623, F. & A. M.; the consistory at New Castle, Pennsylvania; and Syria Temple of Pittsburgh. He is affiliated with the Third Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a member, and contributes liberally toward its support. He was a school director for some time and during the World war was a member of the local examining board. He belongs to the Washington Golf and Country Club, the local Rotary Club and is also connected with the Washington Chamber of Commerce. He is in deep sympathy with the aims of the last named organization and with every project for municipal progress and improvement. Dr. Maxwell possesses a great desire for useful knowledge and throughout life has been a reader and a student. He aspires to high ideals of professional service and keeps in close touch with the achievements of science through his relations with the Washington County and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.

History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, 1926; Forrest, Earle Robert, Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., pages 233-235.  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com.