Stewart Maxson 1878-1901

MAXSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 11/16/2018 at 08:22:42

28 November 1901 - West Branch Times

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The community of Springdale was shocked yesterday at the news that Stewart Maxson has committed suicide by taking poison. The deceased was a son of Willard Maxson, aged about 23 years. He served during the late war with Co. F of Tipton. Ever since his return his mind has been more or less affected at times and he was undoubtedly laboring under a fit of insanity when he committed the rash act. For several days immediately prior to the deed he had been acting strangely. Foster Maxson, his brother, who has been in Tipton serving on the petit jury, was called home by telephone Monday by the news that Stewart had disappeared. He turned up the next day at Marshalltown where he had gone without any apparent reason. He returned home and was believed to be all right again. The funeral services were held last Sunday at 11 o'clock.

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Stewart Maxson was born at his late home in Iowa township, Cedar county, Ia., May 9, 1878. He died at the home of his brother Foster, near his old home Nov. 21, 1901, aged 23 years, six months and twelve days. At the age of twenty he enlisted as a volunteer for the Spanish-American war, and was assigned to Co. F, 49th Reg't Iowa Vol. on June 24, 1898, which company was at that time stationed at Jacksonville, Fla. He served with his company in the United States and Cuba until its muster out at Savannah, Ga., May 13, 1899. During his term of enlistment he proved himself a good soldier and was highly respected by his comrades and officers.

At an early age he moved with his parents to Tipton, Ia., where he spent seven years in the public schools of that city, and in 1896 with the family returned to their home at North Liberty where he resided until the time of his death, with the exception of his enlistment in the Spanish war.

Stewart was naturally of a very quiet disposition and retiring in his nature. He was an upright young man in every way and as far as known to friends and relatives without an enemy. While his nature made it more difficult to understand him, yet when once a friend he was always a friend. While in camp at Jacksonville, he had a very severe and protracted siege of typhoid fever, which left him in a weakened condition. In spite of this however, his true patriotism held the upper hand and he would not take a discharge, although frequently urged to do so by his officers. When the command was ordered to go to Havana, Cuba, he went along. The weakened condition of his body however, could not stand the extra exertion and he had to give in. The change of climate and lack of proper food aided in breaking down his system and affected him so that his young life became depressed and gloomy and so practically remained until the sad ending came.

From his life we can note the struggle that some have to overcome destiny. Thoughout it all he bore himself with courage and fortitude. He lived a good, upright life and although stricken down in youth yet he leaves behind him many strong lessons of noble manhood. He will be ever remembered as a true young man and a good soldier.