John Maxwell (1816-1854)

John Maxwell (c1816-1854) of Stakeford Foundry, Dumfries

1851 Exhibited at the Great Exhibition

1854 January 17th. Died. At Stakeford House, Dumfries, on the 17th ult, Mr John Maxwell, of Stakeford Foundry, aged 38.

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1854 Obituary

THE LATE MR JOHN MAXWELL OF STAKEFORD. It is this week our melancholy duty to record the death of John Maxwell of Stakeford Foundry, which took place on the 17th inst., at his residence, Stakeford House, Maxwelltown. The deceased had, since March last, been labouring under a severe chronic disease of the liver and dysentery, which has at last cut him of at the early age of 38 years.

Mr Maxwell was a native of Maxwelltown, and his talents and perseverance raised himself to an influential position in society. For some years he was chief magistrate of his native burgh, which office he resigned last election, on account of ill health. He was also, for some years prior to his death, member of the Town Council, Dumfries, in which his place now falls to be filled up. Both offices he discharged to the satisfaction of his constituents. As a public man, his loss will much felt. He took a deep interest in everything that concerned the welfare of the community. By personal effort, and especially by money, he was ever ready to give them a helping-hand. Whatever he attempted was carried through with characteristic energy, regardless of the sacrifice might cost him. To him, as much, if not more than to any other individual, are the burghs of Dumfries and Maxwelltown indebted for their present abundant supply of pure water. When others despaired of the scheme, he never lost heart, but helped and cheered it on.

In addition to his large and prosperous business at Stakeford, he had some time since established an ironfoundry at Minnigaff, near Newton-Stewart, and consequently gave employment to large number of workmen. His extensive transactions made him to be widely known, and his kindliness of heart gained him very many friends. Seldom in this district have so many gentlemen assembled - not a few from considerable distance - to attend the funeral any individual, as met on Saturday last, to convey his remains to their last resting-place in the churchyard of Holywood was in every sense of the word a generous man; and not few acknowledge with gratitude the ungrudging assistance which rendered them. All public charities were patronized him with liberality which seldom see.

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