Benton-Arkansas County ArArchives Biographies.....Maxwell, O. P. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 6, 2009, 9:50 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

O. P. MAXWELL.
    O. P. Maxwell, a native son of Arkansas and a member of one of the old and
prominent families of the state, is well known in financial circles of Benton
county as cashier of the State Bank of Siloam Springs and is well fitted by
training and experience for the duties which devolve upon him in this
connection. He was born in DeWitt, Arkansas, February 11, 1877, a son of Albert
and Emma (Pringle) Maxwell, the former a native of Orange county, Indiana, while
the latter was born in Arkansas. They were married in the Bear state and the
father engaged in the occupation of blacksmithing throughout practically his
entire life, also following the trade of a millwright to some extent. He was a
veteran of the Civil war, serving for four Years in the Confederate army, which
he left at the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, never returning to his command.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally was
connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a democrat in his
political views and took a prominent part in public affairs, serving as county
commissioner and also aiding in reconstruction work in the state. To Mr. and
Mrs. Maxwell were born six children: Alice, who is the widow of M. A. Miller and
resides in Pueblo, Colorado; Jennie, who married Charles O'Dowd, a leading
tailor of San Antonio, Texas; James R., a machinist, of whom the family have had
no word for fifteen years; O. P., of this review; R. L., a prominent physician
of Pueblo, Colorado: and Sarah, the wife of Henry Tillitt, who is connected with
railroad interests and resides at San Antonio, Texas. The paternal grandfather,
Nimrod Maxwell, became a resident of Arkansas county, Arkansas, and there spent
his remaining years. His father and seven sons of the family fought in the
Indian wars, serving under General Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe. The
maternal grandfather, James Pringle, also settled in Arkansas county in an early
day and there died during the childhood of Mrs. Maxwell.

    O. P. Maxwell acquired his education in the schools of Arkansas county,
Arkansas, afterward taking up the profession of teaching, which he followed for
a time. He was called to public office, serving from 1899 until 1901 as surveyor
of Arkansas county, after which he engaged in merchandising, devoting his
leisure hours to the study of law. In 1909 he was admitted to the bar and for
some time followed his profession, also continuing active in financial affairs.
In 1905 he became identified with the Bank of Gillett, Arkansas, with which he
continued for six years, and in 1911 he removed to Siloam Springs, Benton
county, where he practiced law for a year. In 1912 he became cashier of the
State Bank of Siloam Springs and has since served in that capacity, making a
most creditable record in the office hy the prompt and faithful manner in which
he is discharging his duties. He thoroughly understands the principles of his
occupation and the details of modern finance and is doing able and systematic
work. He also has other interests, owning land in Benton county, Arkansas, and
in Oklahoma, and his investments have been judiciously placed, for he is a keen,
farsighted business man.

    In 1898 Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage to Miss Lettie Beck, a native of
Morrillton, Arkansas, and a daughter of C. J. Beck, who was reared in this
state, devoting his attention to the operation of a farm. Three children have
been born of this union: Ralph E., who is a student in the State University of
Arkansas, where he is pursuing a course in chemical engineering; Willa May, at
home; and Alfred, a high school pupil.

    Mr. Maxwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and an
active worker in its behalf. For sixteen years he has been superintendent of the
Sunday school and was chairman of the building committee which had charge of the
erection of the beautiful new church edifice, representing a cost of fifty
thousand dollars. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and is a past
master of the lodge at Gillett. He is a democrat in his political views and has
taken a prominent part in public affairs, serving as mayor of Gillett, as
councilman of Siloam Springs, and for nine years has been a member of its school
board, the cause of education finding in him a strong advocate. Mr. Maxwell is a
self-educated and self-made man. He was obliged to aid in the support of the
family after his father's death and his early youth was a period of hard and
unremitting toil. He has worked his way upward, placing his dependence upon the
substantial qualities of industry, perseverance and integrity, and well deserved
success has crowned his efforts. His record is a most commendable one and he
enjoys the unqualified respect and esteem of a large circle of friends.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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