Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Michael Burkhalter Maxwell

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Michael Burkhalter Maxwell, farmer and ex-county surveyor of Benton 
County, Ark., is the oldest of six surviving members of a family of 
twelve children born to Ebenezer and Martha (Griffin) Maxwell, and was 
born in Marion County, Tenn., in 1830. The father was of German 
descent, born in Georgia in 1803, and was a blacksmith, gun-smith and 
farmer by occupation. When a young man he went to Tennessee with his 
parents, Thomas and Mary (Campbell) Maxwell, and was married in that 
State. In 1852 he became a citizen of Benton County, Ark., and entered 
about 600 acres of land near the county seat. His death occurred about 
1871 or 1872. His wife was of English descent, born in South Carolina 
in 1802, and died in 1874. About the time of her marriage she was 
living in Greene County, Tenn. Herson, Michael B., was educated at Sam 
Houston Academy, at Jasper, Tenn., and the University of Tennessee, at 
Knoxville, but did not graduate at the latter institution owing to 
failing health. A portion of the time during his academic and 
collegiate course he was engaged in teaching school, and in 1852 he 
came to Benton County, and began clerking for James A. Dickson, 
general merchant, of Bentonville, remaining with him two [p.868] 
years. In 1853 he was elected county surveyor to fill a vacancy. and 
in 1854 was re-elected. He declined a re-nomination in 1856, but was 
again elected to the office in 1858, and also in 1860 and 1862. From 
1866 to 1866 he has held the office with the exception of but a few 
years. In 1857 he was married to Miss America J. Woods, a daughter of 
William H. and Mary (Dickson) Woods. Mrs. Maxwell was born in Benton 
County, Ark., in 1839, and is the mother of nine children: Robert S.; 
Martha I., widow of George Bone; Mary E., wife of J. R. Woods; John 
H., Sarah J., Margaret C., Emma M., William C. and Myrtie M. Mr. 
Maxwell owns 448 acres of land, and has resided on his present farm 
since 1873. He is very conservative in politics, and has voted both 
the Republican and Democratic tickets. He is a strong Prohibitionist, 
and intends [September, 1888,] voting that ticket during the 
presidential election of 1888. He and his wife have long been members 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and all the children are 
members with the exception of the youngest.