Samuel Thompson Maxey

His obituary appeared in the Mt. Vernon newspaper Friday, 
December 29, 1916 and reads as follow: 

A Pioneer Resident Passed Away Today 
Capt. S. T. Maxey Who Has Passed 82 Years and Lived Useful Life 
Called to Other World - Was a Brave and Faithful Soldier and a 
Valuable Citizen - Funeral Sunday 

Capt. S. L. Maxey died this morning at the family residence, 
425 South Fifteenth street, at 5:30 o'clock, his death being due 
to a complication of aflications and old age. For some time he 
had been quite sick, but his condition turned suddenly for the 
worse two days ago, and was such that nothing could be done for 
his relief. He was 82 years of age. 

He was married to Miss Sarah Piercy March 16, 1883, and with the 
widow there survives three children, Olin Maxey, Miss Edna Maxey, 
and Mrs. Alva Swift, all residents if Mt. Vernon Township. 

The funeral services will be conducted under the auspices of the 
G.A.R. Sunday morning at 10:30, at Pleasant Grove, and it is expected 
that Rev. William J. Hopper, of Browns will preach the sermon. 

The name of Maxey is one that has long had high standing in this 
community and to the Maxey's the county owes much as history makers. 
It was a Maxey who built the first mill in this county. It was a crude 
and primitive affair and was operated by horse, power, but its fame 
spread for miles around and patrons came to have their grain ground. 

The grandfather of Capt. Maxey is given much of the credit for the 
early development of the county, and he was one of the first white 
men to introduce civilization into what is now one of the most 
enlightened sections of the world. 

Capt. Maxey was an unswearving Republican and his services were 
always at the command of his political party. He had been honored 
at various times with office, having served terms as supervisor and 
also had officiated as surveyor of the county. 

He was an active factor in promoting an interest in agriculture 
and was an effective lecturer in farmers' institutes and was once a 
delegate to the Farmers' Congress of the United States. 

In lodge circles, Capt. Maxey held membership in the Odd Fellows 
and Coleman Post, G.A.R. No. 518, of which he was past commander. 
He had been through the chairs in the Odd Fellows, and had represented 
the organization a number of times at the grand lodge. 

With the passing of Capt. Maxey the community has lost a wonderful 
character and one whose influence worked for great good. May he rest 
in peace and get the happiness that was promised him in the other world. 

submitted by Mary Jane Ohms
June 5, 2001