Biographies

LOUIS P. MAYNARD, one of the honored veterans of the late war, who followed the Old Flag through much of the hardest service, is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 19, Terre Haute Township, Henderson County. The greater part of his life has been passed in this locality.

He was born in La Harpe, Hancock County, July 2, 1839, and is a son of Louis C. and Adeline (Ward) Maynard, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts.

The family is of Scotch lineage. The father was a farmer, and resided in the Old Bay State until 1835, when he decided to seek a home in the West, and emigrated to this State. He located in La Harpe when there were only a few houses in the town, and there established a general store, which he carried on for several years. Later he purchased a tract of unimproved land, and, devoting his time and energies to its development, made his home thereon until 1856. He then removed to another farm close by, upon which he resided until his death. He died November 8, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and was buried in La Harpe Cemetery. His wife passed away April 6, 1886, and her remains were interred in the same place.

Louis P. Maynard is the eldest son in a family of five children. Lucy, the only daughter, is now living in La Harpe. Harrison died in Iroquois County, Ill., in 1878. James W. follows farming near La Harpe, and Pliny is also a farmer of that community. Our subject was reared on the old homestead farm, and acquired his education in the common schools. He was still at home with his parents at the time of the breaking out of the late war, but soon entered his country's service.

Mr. Maynard enlisted July 25, 1861, in Burlington, Iowa, as a private of Company D, Seventh Iowa Infantry, and took part in the battle at Belmont, Mo. He was in the engagements at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, was all through the Atlanta campaign, and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He was wounded at the battle of Belmont, and was taken prisoner, but was given up by the rebels and sent to Mound City Hospital, where he remained for about six weeks. He was also wounded at the battle of Corinth, October 4, 1862. He was discharged at Louisville, Ky., with the rank of First Lieutenant, for meritorious conduct had won him promotion.

When the war was over, Mr. Maynard returned to La Harpe, and for about four years engaged in farming on rented land. He then purchased an eighty-acre farm, on which he lived for ten years, after which he removed to his present home on section 19, Terre Haute Township, where he first bought one hundred and sixty acres. Now a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of rich land pays tribute to his care and cultivation. In connection with general farming he carries on stock-raising, and in both branches of his business is quite successful.

The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Maynard was, in her maidenhood, Jennie Kirkpatrick. Their wedding was celebrated March 14, 1866. Unto them were born seven children: Clara, who died December 17, 1879; Ruth, at home; George and Sudie, and three who died in infancy. The family is widely known in this community, and the members rank high in social circles.

Mr. Maynard votes with the Republican party, and is now serving as County Commissioner. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his county.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.