GEORGE D. MAXWELL

        George D. MAXWELL, who is president of the Hicks & Hoge Dry 
Goods Company, and the organizer of that company, is one of the most 
energetic and enterprising young business men of Wheeling, West 
Virginia.  He was born in Wheeling in 1869, and was reared in this 
city, where he attended the public schools.
	His first work was with R. J. Smythe, as clerk in the store now 
known as the "Hub."
He remained in Mr. Smythe's employ three years, after which he 
engaged in the employ of John S. Naylor & Company, who conducted a 
dry goods store.  In 1894 he went to Toledo, Ohio, entered into 
partnership with Ed. C. Shaw and Edward L. Sassaman, and remained 
there until 1898.  In 1898 Mr. Maxwell again entered the employ of 
John S. Naylor & Company, and in August, 1899, became the organizer 
of the Hick & Hoge Dry Goods Company.
	The Hicks & Hoge Dry Good Company was founded by John E. Boyd, 
who came from Ohio.  In 1857 Mr. Boyd sold out to the firm of Joseph 
Norton, Simpson & Company.  Mr. Norton acted as bookkeeper of the new 
firm and Mr. Simpson as traveling salesman.  The business was 
conducted at Nos. 14 and 16 Main street, which is now Twelfth street.  
The firm continued until 1861, when Mr. Norton sold out to Mr. Wilson 
and went to Baltimore.  The firm conducted business as Simpson & 
Wilson until Mr. Wilson's death, in 1870.  Mr. Lucius Hoge then 
became a partner, and the firm was Simpson & Hoge until 1890, when 
Mr. Simpson sold his interest to Mr. Hicks.  Messrs.  Hicks and Hoge 
carried on the business under the name of Hicks & Hoge until 1899.  
The business from that time to the present date has been known as the 
Hicks & Hoge Dry Goods Company.
	In 1899 Mr. Maxwell became president of this company, and has 
done much to bring it to its present position, which is that of the 
largest dry goods house of the kind in Wheeling.  Everything in the 
line of dry goods, including notions and carpets, is carried, and the 
stock occupies a floor space of 28,800 square feet, there being six 
stories in the building.  Twelve traveling representatives are 
employed, and they cover a large territory, both East and West.  This 
house has long had an enviable reputation as one of the oldest and 
most reliable establishments in Wheeling and its vicinity, and a 
large amount of business is done annually.  Mr. Maxwell takes deep 
interest in the business, and is thoroughly progressive and up to 
date in all his methods.
	Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage with Jennie Pfarr, and they 
have one daughter, whose name is Dorothy.  Mr. Maxwell has erected a 
comfortable new home on Zane street.  He belongs to the Presbyterian 
church.  He is widely known in Wheeling, where he has many friends.

From "HISTORY OF WHEELING and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens."  Edited & Compiled by Hon. Gibson Lamb 
Cranmer.  Biographical Publishing, 1902; p. 358-359. 

(Laurie Birks Dean)