On 9 June 1810 the Baptist Church of Fairfax voted to receive John Maxfield by believer's baptism. He was dismissed from the church on 18 June 1812 (Bapt Fairfax 4:35).
John Maxfield served in the War of 1812, a Private in Capt. Roswell Wilson's company of Vermont Militia (Pensions 1812).
By 1815 John Maxfield had settled in Crawford County, Ohio. According to the DeKalb County Album:
He was a pioneer of Crawford County, where he settled after marriage on a tract of timbered land which he bought of the Government. With his wife he took possession of a log house which he built on his farm and entered with energy upon the work of clearing away the forest. --DeKalb Alb 671John Maxfield married JOHANNA POND at Crawford County, on 27 November 1816 (DeKalb Alb 671). Johanna was born at Vermont about 1798 (1797/8 in 1850 census, 1798/9 in 1870 census).
The 1830 Census (129:172) reported the John Maxfield family at Liberty, Crawford County, Ohio. The family consistred of a male-female couple in their 30s, ayoung man in his 20s, a young man between 15 and 20, a boy betrween 5 and 10, ansd a boy under 5. William's age could have been overestimated; the young man in his 20s is not identified.
In 1837 the John Maxfield family moved further west, pioneering in DeKalb County, Illinois:
In 1837 he sold his property in the Buckeye State, and, equiped with five yoke of oxen, two wagons, a horse and carriage, and the household goods, the family came to DeKalb County, camping at night while on their way hither. On arrival, Mr Maxfield, senoir, made a claim on section 16, in town 41, range 5 east, which is now Sycamore Township. The family lived in tents and in wagons until a log house was built for their accomodation. The doors were constructed of lumber which was purchased in Chicago when they passed through the city. For a number of years the nearest market and place of supplies was Chicago. A large farm including nearly 400 acres was placed under excellent improvements by the father, on which he resided until a short time previous to his death." --DeKalb Alb 671The 1840 census reported this Maxfield family at DeKalb County (58:7), consisting of the two parents, four surviving sons, and an unidentified female in her 20s. By 1850 (391) the John Maxfield family of Sycamore, DeKalb county, consisted only of the couple, John, age 60, and Joanna, age 52, and a 13 year old immigrant girl from Ireland, Catherine Eamis.
On 14 May 1840 John Maxfield and Joanna his wife sold to his brother Harry Maxfield, land in Fairfax formerly of their father William Maxfield, for $30 (Fairfax Deeds 10:515).
In 1854 John Maxfield divided his property among his three surviving sons (DeKalb Alb 671). John and Johanna then lived with their son John, where they were reported in the 1860 and 1870 censuses. After son John died in 1873, John and Johanna moved in with surviving son Gilbert.
Concerning John Maxfield's politics, the DeKalb County Album (671) reported
In his political belief and connection he was originally a Whig, and on the expiration of the issues of that element became a member of the Free-Soil party and later a Republican. The first abolition meeting held in this county convened at his house. The candidate of the Free-Soil element for Representative in the State Legislature who was then in the field received only seven votes in Sycamore.John Maxfield died at DeKalb County on 25 May 1875 (DeKalb Alb 671). Johanna died there on 27 June 1878 (DeKalb Alb 671).
John Maxfield and his wife Johanna Pond had the following children:
Information on this family is found in:
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