Background
Maitland was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1844, to James and Barbara (Kerr) Maitland. In 1856, the family moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, then later to Hastings County, Ontario, where they engaged in farming. Maitland began his schooling in Scotland, and continued it while working on the family farm.
In 1862, he moved to Galt, Ontario for work, and then immigrated to the United States in 1864.
He settled in Negaunee, Michigan, working for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Maitland married Caroline V. Sterling on June 10, 1874, from Utica, New New York
The couple had five children - Alexander F., Katherine, Leslie M., Harvey K. and Rena. Maitland was a member of the Free masons and his wife a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.