The Maxfield Business Legacy
In June 1842 Batesville became home to the Maxfield family, Uriah and Leah with their sons, George and Will. Uriah was an entrepreneur who quickly set up a cobbler shop and mercantile. Theodore Maxfield took over the family business after the Civil War, when he realized his father’s failing health would not permit him to continue working. In 1870 the Maxfield legacy continued when Theodore’s brother, Charles Wesley (C.W.), became a partner. Together they purchased additional lots along Main Street and built a mercantile, Theo. Maxfield & Bro. When Edward and John Federic joined their brothers, the signage affirmed their presence with the addition of an “s”: Theo. Maxfield & Bros. The Maxfield business expanded as they built an adjoining building in 1876 offering both retail and wholesale goods.
With the death of two of the brothers and the business division of C.W. and Theo, C.W. Maxfield Co. was created. As time elapsed, more of their business became furniture related until the store closed its doors in 1978 when their wares were solely furniture.
The Maxfield moniker lives on through the Maxfield Exchange, a Magnolia, Arkansas business operated by Mike Stephens.
This beautiful metal sign with a wood border was donated by Anne Strahl. While currently archived, we are planning to mount it near our covered wagon in the Barnes-Simmons Main Gallery.
