William H. Maxwell
Early Life
William Harold Maxwell was born on February 28, 1887, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of William R. Maxwell and Bernadine C. Hageman. He grew up in Cleveland in a family that included three sisters—Florence Bernadine Maxwell, born in September 1889; Mary Irene Maxwell, born October 3, 1893; and Eleanor J. Maxwell, born in October 1899.
By 1917, Maxwell had relocated to Rye, New York, where he was living at 17 Bulkley Manor. He was employed as a sales engineer by the Detroit Steel Products Company, working out of offices at 30 East 42nd Street in New York City. His position reflects a technical and professional occupation within the expanding industrial economy of the early twentieth century. He was single and reported no dependents at the time of his draft registration.
He was described as tall with a medium build, with blue eyes and blonde hair, and no physical disabilities were noted.
World War I Service
Maxwell entered military service on April 1, 1918, being inducted at Port Chester, New York, into the United States Army. He was first assigned to the 152nd Depot Brigade, a unit responsible for organizing and training soldiers for service.
He was subsequently assigned to Company E, 311th Infantry Regiment, part of the 78th Division, a division that trained in the United States before deploying to Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.
Maxwell served overseas from May 19, 1918, to May 22, 1919, as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, participating in the active period of American involvement on the Western Front. Although specific engagements are not listed in his service record, his unit was part of the broader operations conducted during the final year of the war.
During his service, he advanced in rank from Corporal on June 8, 1918, to Sergeant on December 3, 1918, reflecting demonstrated leadership and responsibility within his unit. He sustained no wounds or injuries in action.
He was honorably discharged on May 30, 1919, following demobilization.
Life After Service
Following his return from World War I, Maxwell continued his life in the northeastern United States. By 1930, he was residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was recorded as a guest in a household, and by 1935 he had returned to Westchester County, living in Pelham, New York.
He remained single throughout his life and had no known children. By 1940, he was again living in Pelham as a lodger, and by 1942 he had returned to Rye, New York, maintaining his connection to the community.
His later life included the loss of his father, William R. Maxwell, who died on April 29, 1929, and his mother, Bernadine C. Hageman Maxwell, who died on July 25, 1935.
William Harold Maxwell died on March 13, 1953, in New York at the age of 66. He was buried on March 16, 1953, in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his sisters, Florence Bernadine Maxwell, Mary Irene Maxwell, and Eleanor J. Maxwell.