Dr. Burlington J. Maytum
It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life and whose career has been such as to command the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such in brief is the record of the well known man whose name heads this sketch, than whom a more popular man could hardlv be found within the borders of O'Brien county. Doctor Maytum has made many friends through his skill as a dentist and his position as mayor of Paullina for three terms kept him prominently in the mind of the public and won for him man}-friends by reason of the manner in which he discharged the duties devolving upon him. His life has been one of unceasing" energy and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever followed have resulted in obtaining for him the enviable degree of esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
Burlington J. Maytum was born on March 13, 1869, at Toronto, Canada, being a son of Charles and Emma (Fagg) Maytum. Both of whom were born in London, England, the former on March 31. 1837, and the latter in the year 1846. They were married in 1864 and became the parents of 12 children, one of whom is deceased.
The year of their marriage they left England, going directly to Canada, where they remained but a short time, when they took up their residence in New York state. After a time they came westward to Iowa,locating in Wayne county, where Mr. Maytum engaged in the flour milling business and also followed the vocation of farming. He prospered in a gratifying degree and in the year 1900 retired from active business and moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he and his wife are passing their riper years in quiet enjoyment.
The subject received a good education in his youth and when twenty two years of age accepted a school in Wayne county which he taught for three terms. However, this occupation was merely a stepping stone for him, as he had higher ambitions in life and in 1893 matriculated at the State University of Iowa, where he took a course in dentistry, being graduated from that institution in 1897.
He took keen enjoyment in athletics and while in college played base ball in different leagues, retaining his interest in the national sport even after leaving school. He chose Paullina as the field for his future labors in his chosen profession and since coming here has grown completely into the life of the community.
He has succeeded admirably in every respect and in addition to the real estate he owns in Paullina, consisting of six business lots and one residence lot, he has acquired three hundred and twenty acres in Colorado and also owns twenty acres on the Isle of Pines, Cuba. Doctor Maytum takes considerable interest in politics, especially pertaining' to local matters, and during the three terms he served Paullina as mayor a gratifying impetus was observed in all matters pertaining to the better phases of ciyic life. He is a man well posted on current eyents and takes more than ordinary interest in the affairs of the Progressiye party, being one of its staunch supporters in this section.
While not a member of any church. Doctor Maytum's religious sympathies are with the Presbyterian church, which the family attends and in the support of which he does a commendable part. His fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Freemasonry.
Doctor Maytum chose as his life companion Gertrude Loucks, born in 1879 in Sandwich, Illinois, to whom he was united in marriage in 1903. To their union haye been born two sons, Francis and Clyde,both of whom are attending school. The family moyes in the best social circles of the town and are well liked and highly esteemed. So far. Doctor Maytum has acted well his part in life and, while primarily interested in his own affairs, he has not been unmindful of the interests of others, but has ever sought the adyancement of the public good and the welfare of his fellow men. Personally, he is a man of pleasing address, sociably inclined and enjoys a wide acquaintance and a large circle of warm and loyal friends.
From Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties Iowa 1914
