Thomas Maxwell (1792-1864) - Find a Grave Memorial

US Congressman from New York. He moved to Elmira (then part of Tioga County) with his family in 1796. In the War of 1812 he was Quartermaster of a Cavalry Regiment that was part of General (and future Congressman) Vincent Mathews's Brigade. He worked at various occupations, including procuring pensions for soldiers and widows of the Revolution and the War of 1812. From 1819 to 1829 Maxwell was Tioga County Clerk. In 1828 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Jacksonian, and served one term, 1829 to 1831. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1832. In addition to practicing law he was Editor of the Elmira Gazette from 1834 to 1836 and Postmaster of Elmira from 1834 to 1839. When Chemung County was created he served as Deputy County Clerk in 1836, and County Treasurer from 1836 to 1843. Maxwell became Vice President of the New York and Erie Railroad in 1841 and US Loan Commisioner in 1843. In 1845 he moved to the town of Geneva, New York and accepted appointment as Deputy Clerk of the State Supreme Court. He later returned to Elmira, where among other pursuits he wrote an eight volume work, Chemung County History and Genealogy.

Bio by: Bill McKern