yesterday's tennessee

C. V. MAXWELL

Chapter XIV

Constance Maxwell Collett

Cornelius Virgil (CV.) Maxwell, a successful business man of Parsons was born February 22, 1883, the son of Benjamin Howard and Alice Hendrix Maxwell, born near Jeanette.

He was in the mercatile business at Brodies and Cliff Landings on the Tennessee River, with his father. As a lad, he oft times recalled arising to meet the steamboats which brought cargo up and down the river for merchants in surrounding communities. The shrill whistle of the steamboat as it crackled through the brisk air around midnight was a very unpleasant sound to the lad, but he always heeded the call.

He attended the local schools and furthered his education at Bowling Green, Kentucky Business College, a place he returned to after over 50 years and discovered it looked very much the same. On January 2, 1923 he and Mae Washburn of Trenton were united in holy wedlock. The couple were introduced by Mrs. Wilbur Callahan, a sister of the bride in Kenton, Tenn. Prior to marriage Mrs. Maxwell engaged in teaching school in the Gibson county schools for quite a while.

The couples first year of marriage was spent at Manchester, later moving to Bruceton, where he was engaged in land sales. At the end of the year they moved to Parsons where they started the first variety store in the county, "Maxwell's Variety Store." After the addition of furniture, they changed the name to Maxwell's Dept. Store. Their success as Merchants stemmed from hard work and honesty. Mr. Maxwell helped a tremendous number of needy families causes, from fires or poverty. He never turned a needy person down and each day he always gave money to "Shorty Conrad," a victum of circumstances due to his eye sight and small statue.

Their first daughter, Violet was born August 13, 1925 dead and another daughter, Mrs. Constance Maxwell Collett was born October 7, 1932.

Mr. Maxwell died on March 26, 1965 and his wife followed August 16 1968. She was bedfast for nine years prior to her death.

Their daughter, Mrs. Constance Maxwell Collett and husband, Parce Collett continued the business after their death and are still operating it.

They were married December 31, 1950 and a son, Charles Maxwell Collett arrived on December 12, 1951. A daughter, Janice Anne Collett, was born April 16, 1956.

Charlie, a graduate from Riverside High School near Parsons, attended Lambuth College in Jackson, Jackson State College, Kent State University and graduated from Mount Union College at Alliance, Ohio. He is presently engaged with a law firm in San Francisco, California.

Janice attended the local schools in Parsons, graduating with honors. The five feet six inch brunette excelled in Athletics. She broke five school records in basketball, was outstanding in a number of tournaments and her uniform was retired at Riverside High School by her coach, Mack Chandler.

After high school, she attended U. T. College in Knoxville. She was married to Boyd Lee Young April 13, 1975. They have one daughter, Melissa Anne Young, born August 9,1976.