Hon. Herman O. Maxey, of Butler, died at his home in that city Friday night [September 13, 1935] at age 63y 11m 8d. He had been ill for some time, eventually succumbing to coronary health problems. He was born October 5, 1871, in Ezel, Morgan County, Kentucky to Dr. Silas W. Maxey and Sarah E. (Nickell) Maxey.

Herman was an older brother to Nancy, Raney, A. Waldeck and John. Two other siblings died prior to 1900. The family moved to Bates County, Missouri when he was ten years old, and he continued his education in public school in Bates County. He graduated from State Teachers' College at Warrensburg and Hamilton College of Law in Chicago.

He was first married to Joanna Emma Langley in 1897. Two daughters, Helen and Maurita, were born to them. She passed away in 1927. He then married Lillian Gem Russell in 1929. Two daughters, Jessie Mignon and Carmen Marjorie, and one son, H. O. Maxey, Jr., were born to them.

Mr. Maxey began his career as a schoolteacher at Sprague thirty odd years ago. For a number of years, he was a successful attorney in Butler as a law partner of James DeArmond. He was currently serving his fifth term as State Representative as a Democrat in the legislature from Bates County and was an orator of distinction. He served three terms as school commissioner and two terms as circuit clerk of Bates County. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge and the Christian Church.

He was a staunch supporter of the Park Administration and attracted attention in the House with frequent speeches urging social welfare legislation on his colleagues. He was crippled but was able to get around with the aid of crutches. This disability did not prevent him from winning success. He could rise to the floor, and in mild voice, extoll the benefits of the old age pension, the child labor amendment and other bills promising relief to the needy. He was elected Majority Floor Leader in 1923 and Speakerpro tem of the house in 1931. During the fifty-seventh general assembly, he was chairman of the committee on criminal procedure.

Mr. Maxey was survived by his wife, Lillie; four daughters and one son:

Mrs. V. M. Harry of Ralston, Oklahoma [Helen]

Miss Maurita Maxey, a schoolteacher here

Midget Maxey at home in Butler [Mignon]

Mary Maxey at home in Butler [Marjorie]

infant son, H. O. Maxey, Jr. at home in Butler

The Metz Times; Fri. Sep 20, 1935, page 1

The Kansas City Times; Sat, Sep 14, 1935 ·Page 10

________________________________________

HERMAN O. MAXEY IS DEAD

Heart Attack Proves Fatal to Prominent Attorney

The Entire State Mourns Passing of Eminent Legislator and Influential Political Leader

Herman O. Maxey, for many years, one of the outstanding figures in religious, political and educational circles in this section of the state, died at his home in this city shortly before nine o'clock Friday evening, September 13, as the result of a heart attack. While Mr. Maxey had been in bad health for some time and was, for several weeks, confined to his home last winter with an illness resulting from kidney trouble, he had apparently recovered, and his unexpected death came as a severe shock to the entire community.

Herman Otis Maxey, son of Dr. and Mrs. Silas Waldeck Maxey, was born in Kentucky, 1871. He came with his parents to Missouri in 1879, locating at Johnstown and spent his life in this county.

He was educated in the public schools of the county, and at the Warrensburg State Normal and later received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Hamilton College of Law in Chicago.

He early became interested in educational work and spent several years teaching in the schools of the county and served one term as county superintendent of schools.

He was later given the Democratic nomination for Circuit Clerk and was elected to this office for two terms. It was during his incumbency in this office that he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar.

Following his retirement from the office of circuit clerk, he became associated with General James A. DeArmond in the practice of law, this partnership continuing until his death, and the firm of DeArmond and Maxey was recognized as one of the outstanding law firms in this section of the state.

Deeply interested in religious affairs, he was one of the organizers of the large and active Loyal Sons Sunday School class of this city which did much to promote religious study and activity among the younger men of the community. He was a deep student of theology, and many times filled the pulpit of his own and a number of other churches in southwest Missouri.

He was elected to the state legislature as representative from Bates County in 1918, 1922, 1930, 1932 and 1934 and became recognized as one of the most forceful and influential members of the Missouri General Assembly. He served as majority floor leader in 1923 and as speakerpro tem in 1931. Deeply interested in child welfare and educational legislation, he centered his efforts along these lines, and many of the laws of the state on these subjects are on the statute books because of his influence.

He was an orator of extraordinary force and ability, with the talent for speaking both logically and eloquently, and this talent, which helped to gain him a deserved recognition in the legislative halls of the state was given freely at all times both to his church and to the political party whose tenets he espoused.

Interested in governmental affairs from early youth, he was a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and became recognized as one of the outstanding Democratic leaders in western Missouri. He was mentioned frequently for state office and, at the time of his death, was being discussed as a possible candidate for representative in Congress.

Surviving are his widow, Lillian (Russell) Maxey, and three infant [young] children: Jessie Mignon, Marjorie Carmen and Herman O., Jr.; and two daughters by a former marriage, Mrs. V. M. Harry of Ralston, Oklahoma, and Maurita of the home.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Christian Church, conducted by Rev. T. C. Brammer of the Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. J. H. Parrott of the Christian Church. The music was furnished by the Spears double quartet. The floral offerings were profuse about the altar and casket.

The church building was filled, and many attending were unable to obtain seats inside. Friends came from all sections of the county, and many from other sections of the state. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.

The esteem in which Mr. Maxey was held throughout the state is indicated by the following editorials from St. Louis and Kansas City newspapers:

"The death of Hon. Herman O. Maxey at his home in Butler, Mo., is a disctinct loss to the state as well as to his community. Mr. Maxey has been a member of the lower House of the Legislature of Missouri for five terms and was a member at the time of his death. He was one of the most useful members of the Legislature, honest and courageous and stood high in the confidence of everybody who knew him. Mr. Maxey was a fine official, a good citizen, and a courteous gentleman." --Independence Examiner

"The death of Herman O. Maxey of Butler, Bates County, removes one of the outstanding members of the Missouri Legislature. Mr. Maxey had served five terms in the house of representatives. He was one of a comparatively small group so frequently found in legislative bodies, who do the real work. He was a student of the problems that confronted the lawmakers and his observations on such matters always commanded attention, regardless of political lines. His physical handicap seemed to add to his capability. He was particularly interested in social problems and attracted to him many who looked to him for guidance in legislative affairs in which he gave a real service to his state." – Kansas City Times

State Representative Herman O. Maxey of Bates County, who has died at his home in Butler in southwestern Missouri, was one of the staunchest representatives of the people's interests ever sent to Jefferson City. This statement needs no qualification. He fought the underhanded activities of the public utilities session after session during his 10 years in the House. He led the uphill battle for an investigation of the utility lobbyists in the last special session. He worked for the schools and tax-supported colleges, for the welfare of women and children and the state's aged and dependent, for its charitable and eleemosynary institutions.

Mr. Maxey was a Democrat, but his party never stood between him and voting for or against a bill on its merits. He could no more support a bill which he thought was bad than he could oppose one which he thought was good. The result was that he was widely respected at Jefferson City, even by those who did not have his idea of public service or his independence and courage.

Gov. Park's estimation is entirely justified. Herman O. Maxey was "fearless and incorruptible." If St. Louis made a practice of sending a delegation of his type to the Legislature, the character of work done at Jefferson City would be infinitely better. Bates County can be proud of its faithful public servant." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Butler Times-Press; (Butler, Missouri) Thu, Sep 19, 1935 ·Page 4

Hon. Herman O. Maxey, of Butler, died at his home in that city Friday night [September 13, 1935] at age 63y 11m 8d. He had been ill for some time, eventually succumbing to coronary health problems. He was born October 5, 1871, in Ezel, Morgan County, Kentucky to Dr. Silas W. Maxey and Sarah E. (Nickell) Maxey.

Herman was an older brother to Nancy, Raney, A. Waldeck and John. Two other siblings died prior to 1900. The family moved to Bates County, Missouri when he was ten years old, and he continued his education in public school in Bates County. He graduated from State Teachers' College at Warrensburg and Hamilton College of Law in Chicago.

He was first married to Joanna Emma Langley in 1897. Two daughters, Helen and Maurita, were born to them. She passed away in 1927. He then married Lillian Gem Russell in 1929. Two daughters, Jessie Mignon and Carmen Marjorie, and one son, H. O. Maxey, Jr., were born to them.

Mr. Maxey began his career as a schoolteacher at Sprague thirty odd years ago. For a number of years, he was a successful attorney in Butler as a law partner of James DeArmond. He was currently serving his fifth term as State Representative as a Democrat in the legislature from Bates County and was an orator of distinction. He served three terms as school commissioner and two terms as circuit clerk of Bates County. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge and the Christian Church.

He was a staunch supporter of the Park Administration and attracted attention in the House with frequent speeches urging social welfare legislation on his colleagues. He was crippled but was able to get around with the aid of crutches. This disability did not prevent him from winning success. He could rise to the floor, and in mild voice, extoll the benefits of the old age pension, the child labor amendment and other bills promising relief to the needy. He was elected Majority Floor Leader in 1923 and Speakerpro tem of the house in 1931. During the fifty-seventh general assembly, he was chairman of the committee on criminal procedure.

Mr. Maxey was survived by his wife, Lillie; four daughters and one son:

Mrs. V. M. Harry of Ralston, Oklahoma [Helen]

Miss Maurita Maxey, a schoolteacher here

Midget Maxey at home in Butler [Mignon]

Mary Maxey at home in Butler [Marjorie]

infant son, H. O. Maxey, Jr. at home in Butler

The Metz Times; Fri. Sep 20, 1935, page 1

The Kansas City Times; Sat, Sep 14, 1935 ·Page 10

________________________________________

HERMAN O. MAXEY IS DEAD

Heart Attack Proves Fatal to Prominent Attorney

The Entire State Mourns Passing of Eminent Legislator and Influential Political Leader

Herman O. Maxey, for many years, one of the outstanding figures in religious, political and educational circles in this section of the state, died at his home in this city shortly before nine o'clock Friday evening, September 13, as the result of a heart attack. While Mr. Maxey had been in bad health for some time and was, for several weeks, confined to his home last winter with an illness resulting from kidney trouble, he had apparently recovered, and his unexpected death came as a severe shock to the entire community.

Herman Otis Maxey, son of Dr. and Mrs. Silas Waldeck Maxey, was born in Kentucky, 1871. He came with his parents to Missouri in 1879, locating at Johnstown and spent his life in this county.

He was educated in the public schools of the county, and at the Warrensburg State Normal and later received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Hamilton College of Law in Chicago.

He early became interested in educational work and spent several years teaching in the schools of the county and served one term as county superintendent of schools.

He was later given the Democratic nomination for Circuit Clerk and was elected to this office for two terms. It was during his incumbency in this office that he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar.

Following his retirement from the office of circuit clerk, he became associated with General James A. DeArmond in the practice of law, this partnership continuing until his death, and the firm of DeArmond and Maxey was recognized as one of the outstanding law firms in this section of the state.

Deeply interested in religious affairs, he was one of the organizers of the large and active Loyal Sons Sunday School class of this city which did much to promote religious study and activity among the younger men of the community. He was a deep student of theology, and many times filled the pulpit of his own and a number of other churches in southwest Missouri.

He was elected to the state legislature as representative from Bates County in 1918, 1922, 1930, 1932 and 1934 and became recognized as one of the most forceful and influential members of the Missouri General Assembly. He served as majority floor leader in 1923 and as speakerpro tem in 1931. Deeply interested in child welfare and educational legislation, he centered his efforts along these lines, and many of the laws of the state on these subjects are on the statute books because of his influence.

He was an orator of extraordinary force and ability, with the talent for speaking both logically and eloquently, and this talent, which helped to gain him a deserved recognition in the legislative halls of the state was given freely at all times both to his church and to the political party whose tenets he espoused.

Interested in governmental affairs from early youth, he was a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and became recognized as one of the outstanding Democratic leaders in western Missouri. He was mentioned frequently for state office and, at the time of his death, was being discussed as a possible candidate for representative in Congress.

Surviving are his widow, Lillian (Russell) Maxey, and three infant [young] children: Jessie Mignon, Marjorie Carmen and Herman O., Jr.; and two daughters by a former marriage, Mrs. V. M. Harry of Ralston, Oklahoma, and Maurita of the home.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Christian Church, conducted by Rev. T. C. Brammer of the Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. J. H. Parrott of the Christian Church. The music was furnished by the Spears double quartet. The floral offerings were profuse about the altar and casket.

The church building was filled, and many attending were unable to obtain seats inside. Friends came from all sections of the county, and many from other sections of the state. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.

The esteem in which Mr. Maxey was held throughout the state is indicated by the following editorials from St. Louis and Kansas City newspapers:

"The death of Hon. Herman O. Maxey at his home in Butler, Mo., is a disctinct loss to the state as well as to his community. Mr. Maxey has been a member of the lower House of the Legislature of Missouri for five terms and was a member at the time of his death. He was one of the most useful members of the Legislature, honest and courageous and stood high in the confidence of everybody who knew him. Mr. Maxey was a fine official, a good citizen, and a courteous gentleman." --Independence Examiner

"The death of Herman O. Maxey of Butler, Bates County, removes one of the outstanding members of the Missouri Legislature. Mr. Maxey had served five terms in the house of representatives. He was one of a comparatively small group so frequently found in legislative bodies, who do the real work. He was a student of the problems that confronted the lawmakers and his observations on such matters always commanded attention, regardless of political lines. His physical handicap seemed to add to his capability. He was particularly interested in social problems and attracted to him many who looked to him for guidance in legislative affairs in which he gave a real service to his state." – Kansas City Times

State Representative Herman O. Maxey of Bates County, who has died at his home in Butler in southwestern Missouri, was one of the staunchest representatives of the people's interests ever sent to Jefferson City. This statement needs no qualification. He fought the underhanded activities of the public utilities session after session during his 10 years in the House. He led the uphill battle for an investigation of the utility lobbyists in the last special session. He worked for the schools and tax-supported colleges, for the welfare of women and children and the state's aged and dependent, for its charitable and eleemosynary institutions.

Mr. Maxey was a Democrat, but his party never stood between him and voting for or against a bill on its merits. He could no more support a bill which he thought was bad than he could oppose one which he thought was good. The result was that he was widely respected at Jefferson City, even by those who did not have his idea of public service or his independence and courage.

Gov. Park's estimation is entirely justified. Herman O. Maxey was "fearless and incorruptible." If St. Louis made a practice of sending a delegation of his type to the Legislature, the character of work done at Jefferson City would be infinitely better. Bates County can be proud of its faithful public servant." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The Butler Times-Press; (Butler, Missouri) Thu, Sep 19, 1935 ·Page 4