An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 416 SAMUEL R. MAXSON. -- A traveler passing through the farming districts of Washington is impressed with the fertile fields of waving grain and the roiling pastures, the latter being filled with well-fed sheep, cattle and horses. On the list of prosperous and well-to-do farmers of the country surrounding the beautiful city of Walla Walla in the county of the same name, occurs the name of the gentleman to whose life history attention is called in this brief article. Mr. Maxson was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, July 7, 1843, a son of Stephen and Lois (Babcock) Maxson, natives of New York, who were married in that State but removed to Wisconsin in 1837. They made the Badger State their home for over twenty years, when in 1856 they again took tip the line of march westward, locating at Omaha, Nebraska, where they remained two years, during which time our subject received his education in the common-schools of that city. At the expiration of that time the family located in Washington Territory, Walla Walla county, on Russell creek, seven miles southeast of Walla Walla, where the father died in 1879, at the age of sixty-five years, and where his wife died ten years later, at the same age. Four children were born to these parents, of whom our subject was the second child. All of these children are still living, one being located in Idaho, the other three in Washington. The trip across the plains in the fifties was anything but an enjoyable journey. In addition to the many privations incident to the trip, there was always the great danger from the savage Indians, and many of the emigrants were given several opportunities of very close acquaintance with the red men. Fortunately for the little party in which we are interested the Indians gave them no trouble, although they never knew at what moment the savages might spring upon them. Our subject obtained the money to purchase his present pleasant home by freighting over the mountains to Boise City and other mining districts with ox teams, continuing that occupation for five years. At that time he traded his horses for 160 acres of land, to which he made subsequent increments until he now is the possessor of 235 acres of as good land as can be found in the county, on which he raises from four to five thousand bushels of grain yearly. Although he was a poor man when he began to fight the battle of life for himself, by his assiduous and persistent labor he has won the victory and can now rest upon his laurels, as, in addition to his farm, he has an excellent home, situated about seven miles southeast of Walla Walla on Russell creek, the residence being located on the banks of this, picturesque little stream. In the year 1863, Miss Lizzie Paul, a native of Iowa, became his wife, and since their marriage ten children have been added to their family, namely: Lou Ellen, wile of D.G. Ferguson; Charles married Delia Ferrell; Alice, May, Stephen, Myrtle, Samuel, Walter, Ralph, and Benjamin F. Mrs. Maxson was a native of Iowa and came to Washington in 1862, the year before her marriage. Socially our subject is connected with the A.O.U.W., while politically he gives allegiance to the Republican party, cheerfully lending his aid to furtherance of its principles, his vote always being cast for its nominees. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.