From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Page 541

COL. JAMES MAXWELL was born at Guilford, Vermont, about 1785.  The story of his 
early and middle life is but scantily told.  He must have had a fair education 
and some experience in business.  He lived for some time in Pennsylvania and in 
Indiana, and at the time of Black Hawk's war was at Chicago, and at that time, 
probably, was one of Governor Reynold's militia colonels.  The records of the 
adjutant-general's office, at Springfield, might make this clear.  Coming with 
Dr. Philip S., his younger half-brother, to Lake Geneva, he left that theatre 
of war and made a peaceable settlement in Walworth, where he and his son, and 
with them the Doctor, bought liberally in sections 15, 24, 26, 27.  He was a  
member of the upper house of the second and third Legislative Assemblies for 
the joint district of Rock and Walworth, 1838-42.  It is not known when he left 
the county, but, at the organization of the State Historical Society, in 1849, 
he was present from Sauk county.  It is said that he died about 1869.  His son, 
James Alexander MAXWELL remained in Walworth long enough to find a place in the 
official list of that town.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)