DR. JAMES A. MAXWELL was born in Caldwell County, Ky., January 26, 1843, and is a son of W. P. and Isabella (Adamson) Maxwell, both natives of Caldwell County. The paternal grandfather was a native of Guilford Court House, N. C.; he left that State in company with his father, Edward Maxwell, at the close of the Revolution, and came to Kentucky; he first settled in what is now Washington County, and in 1797 came to what is now Caldwell County, and here the family has since resided. The grandfather resided in that county until his death, which occurred in 1839, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. The maternal grandfather, Alexander Adamson, was a native of Scotland, and emigrated from that country in 1818. Upon his arrival in this country he settled in Caldwell County, Ky., where he died in about 1833. The father of subject is still living in Princeton, and is engaged in farming and trading, being numbered among the foremost men of the county. The mother died on March 3, 1864, at the age of forty-two years. Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty-one, receiving his education at the Bethlehem Academy. In 1864 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. T. B. Johnson, of Fredonia, Caldwell County. He read with him one year, and then entered the Kentucky School of Medicine. In 1866 he entered, the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Penn., graduating from that institution with the class of 1867. He began the practice of his profession at Fredonia, where he remained four years, when he came to Princeton, where he has since resided. In connection with his practice he opened a drug store upon his arrival at Princeton, and at this business he engaged until 1880, when he closed out his stock. Dr. Maxwell was married, June 5, 1878, to Miss Caroline M., daughter of Capt. John P. and Mary D. Herris, of Paducah. This union has resulted in two children: Perry D. and Mary I. Subject served as police judge at Fredonia one year, and has been member of the Princeton Board of Trustees, He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 708-709.