John Maxwell's Sons - Stone - S 30th Street below Spruce - Philadelphia A History of The City and Its People V..3 -1912

J. WALTER MAXWELL.

Since the establishment, in 1854, of the granite paving and building stone contracting business which is now conducted under the name of John Maxwell Sons, the same straightforward, reliable business policy has been followed and interests of an enterprise that has had a continuous expanse of fifty-six years. The company furnished three-fourths of the granite and bluestone for the Philadelphia street railways for street paving and curbing and until other paving material came into use they were the most extensive producers of bluestone in the United States, their business having reached a large volume in all of the important cities east of the Mississippi river. With the advent of other paving material the sale of bluestone decreased, but their granite business on the con trary has greatly increased and more than makes up for the deficiency in the other output. The company own their own granite quarries in Maine and bluestone quarries in New York. Their granite quarries are practically inexhaustible, and the output is of such superior quality that it is largely sought by the architects and builders throughout the country in the construction of large buildings. The company maintain a New York office at No. 51 Chambers street in addition to the Philadelphia office. They have a most modern and thoroughly equipped plant and use the most improved tools for cutting and polishing granite. Their trade has remained undiminished through the passing years and in fact their success has continually increased for their enterprise, energy and reliability insure them a liberal patronage.In 1886 Mr. Maxwell was married to Miss Kate Saylor, of Philadelphia, and they have become parents of five children: James T., who was born in 1888 and is engaged in the general contracting business; Helen; Alice; Katherine; and John.Mr. Maxwell is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 134, F. & A. M., holds membership in the Episcopal church and gives his support to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart advocate, feeling that the best interests of the country are advanced through the adoption of republican principles.