Maxwell, J(ohnathon) D(ixon) (1864–1928)

US car manufacturer. A trained mechanic, he was hired to assist Elwood Haynes in building one of the first US automobiles (1894–99); it is now in the Smithsonian Institution. He worked with Ransom Eli Olds in developing the early Olds vehicles (1900–02). He directed the Maxwell-Briscoe Company in Tarrytown, New York (1904–12). Leading the J D Maxwell Motor Company (1912–25), he designed a car that incorporated all 19 of his innovative patents. His company was later absorbed by Chrysler Corporation in 1925. Maxwell was born near Russiaville, Indiana.