Maxwell Memories in Minnesota: Past and Present

In April of 1855, John McDowell Maxwell, his wife Rachel Mahala Slane Maxwell, sons Robert and family, George with wife, Delilah Slane, James, Frank, John, Jr. and daughter Emily with husband Edwin Turnham, boarded the steamboat Galena in Illinois and traveled to Minnesota and then on to Lake Minnetonka where they settled on Maxwell Bay. 151 years later, the John Maxwell clan will return to Lake Minnetonka for a joint reunion with another area pioneer family, descendants of Henry Stubbs. Many Stubbs descendants also share Maxwell ancestry. John McDowell Maxwell homesteaded land between Stubbs Bay and Maxwell Bay on the northern end of Lake Minnetonka. He was 67 years old and his wife Rachel was 59. Rachel passed away the next year, and John died in 4 years later in 1859. John’s homestead was purchased by Joel Stubbs, a son of Henry Stubbs and the northern bay was named Stubbs Bay while the southern bay was named Maxwell Bay. 

❗Tip: Blue underlined words are links. Click the link to learn more!

Registration Information

• Register by July 10, 2026 using this link: Reunion Registration Form 

• Suggested Donation: $20.00 per adult and $5.00 per child 3-12. Children under age 2 are free. Suggested donation does not include admission to the boat tour. Donations can be made through one of the following methods:

  • • Pay electronically through Venmo, @Barb-Maxwell-4

      • In the comment box, add “personal for Maxwell Reunion” with your name and contact information.

      • Then confirm with 5975.

    • Write a check to Barb Maxwell

      • on the memo line, add "Maxwell Reunion"

      • send to Maxwell Reunion c/o Barb Maxwell 1939 S. 62nd Street, Omaha, NE 68106

• T-Shirts: Each person can purchase a reunion t-shirt directly from Custom Ink using the following link: [Link Coming Soon]

Why Lake Minnetonka?