San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 807-808
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 4/17/2010
JOHN D. MAXEY
Finely equipped as to business training is John D. Maxey, auditor of San Joaquin County, who in his day has been school teacher, law student, clerk, hospital attendant, land office official, bank cashier, dairy rancher and realty agent. He was born in Smith County, Tennessee, October 29, 1860, reared on a farm, and was educated in and later taught others in the Tennessee schools. At twenty-two, in 1882, he went to Anna, Ill., where he read law with his brother. Though he filled several clerical positions, he abandoned his legal ambitions and did not seek bar admission. Arriving in Stockton, Cal., on April 1, 1890, Mr. Maxey became an attendant in the State Hospital for the Insane, remaining over eight years. Then he was appointed registrar in the United States Land Office in Stockton, in which position he remained until, in 1906, the office was consolidated with that at Sacramento owing to the diminution of government land. The same year he helped organize the Union Safe Deposit Bank and was made its cashier, a position he held until he sold out his interest.
Ranching next occupied Mr. Maxey's attention, and he removed to his 160-acre dairy ranch near Manteca, which he had acquired some time earlier. He resided on this ranch and conducted a first class dairy until 1910. When he bought this pace it was not under irrigation, but he had advanced ideas and helped to organize the irrigation district of South San Joaquin. This brought his fine property under irrigation and did much good for the entire district. As time went on he greatly developed his investment, planting all of it to alfalfa, building a modern cement-floored, glass-sided dairy barn, with sixty-cow capacity, and sanitary and up-to-date in every particular. He also erected a 160-ton hay barn. This property is still his, but at present is rented out. It is deemed one of the best-improved dairy ranches in the county.
In 1910 Mr. Maxey returned to Stockton and, with B.F. Goode as partner, conducted a realty and insurance business until March 1, 1913, when he was appointed auditor and recorder of the county to fill the unexpired term of James A. Kroh, resigned. Until January 1, 1915, these offices were under one head, but they were separated; and as candidate for county auditor Mr. Maxey easily won and he was reelected in 1918 and in 1922, and is still county auditor. He is a Republican.
Mr. Maxey has been twice married. In 1888 he married Fannie Maple at Anna, Ill., and she passed away in 1901 at Stockton. On November 19, 1902, he was united with Mrs. Lizzette W. Ryan, daughter of the late John C. White, and she was born in Stockton in the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Maxey now live. They have two children, Elizabeth and John D., Jr.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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