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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
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Source: Atlas Map of Fulton County, Illinois, 
Andreas, Lyter, and Co., Davenport, Iowa. 1871
(page 42)

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James K. Magie was born in Morris county, New Jersey, January 7th, 1827, and up to his fourteenth year lived with his parents upon a farm. At that early age he left his home and learned the printer's trade in the office of the Newark Daily Advertiser, Newark, New Jersey. At the age of nineteen he abandoned the printing office for a season and entered upon the occupation of a school teacher. The spring of 1849 found him at the city of Brooklyn, where he was employed in the office of the Brooklyn Daily Advertiser establishment -- first in a subordinate capacity, then as foreman, and afterwards as city editor. While here, in 1849, he was married to Miss Abby A. Smith, who died in May, 1853, leaving two children, one of whom soon followed her to the grave. In 1854 he became acquainted with Miss Mary Ritchie, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and in the fall of that year she became his wife. In the spring of 1856 he had a serious sickness, which laid him very low for several weeks, but his recovery found him imbued with new hopes and new resolves. Up to this time his life had been a constant struggle with poverty, sickness, and misfortune. He determined to try his fortune in the Great West, and selling off nearly everything that he possessed, he was enabled to reach Henderson county, in this state, in the fall of 1856, with his wife, child, and three dollars in money. During the following winter he taught school in that county, and next spring purchased a working interest in the Oquawka Plaindealer, of which paper he was the editor for three years, proving himself one of the ablest journalists in the state. Disposing of his interest in that paper, he accepted a position to edit a republican paper at Carthage, Hancock county, during the memorable campaign of 1860. During this campaign Mr. Magie gained some notoriety as a very able and eloquent stump speaker. He held several political discussions with some of the most prominent democratic orators of that section of the state, always receiving credit for honesty, fairness, and candor. 
    
In the spring of 1861 he removed to Macomb and assumed the editorial charge of the Macomb Journal, and soon after he became sole proprietor. Upon his removal to Illinois, Mr. Magie applied himself diligently to the study of law, and, upon examination before the supreme court, was admitted to practice in 1861. However, his arduous duties as editor, and the general disturbance caused by the rebellion, prevented him from carrying out his purpose of entering upon the practice of law. In the summer of 1862 he was authorized to raise recruits for the seventy-eighth Illinois regiment, in which he was eminently sucessful [sic]. While prosecuting this work he became disgusted with the inordinate desire for office he saw everywhere manifested. Men were needed in the ranks, and he urged that none should stop to think of position, but should pick up a musket and start. Mr. Magie set an example by enlisting as a private, and he saw three years active service, winning a most enviable record as a soldier. Refusing promotion, coming home as he went, with his musket on his shoulder, few showed a better record in the army, or were more thought of by his comrades, than Sergeant Magie. 
    
After being mustered out, Mr. Magie returned to Macomb and resumed charge of the Journal. In July, 1865, he was appointed postmaster at Macomb by Andrew Johnson. This was before he "swung around the circle," but after Johnson "went back" on his party and apostatized, Mr. Magie promptly tendered his resignation. He subsequently disposed of his interest in the Journal and purchased one half of the Canton Register, of which paper he is at present the spicy editor. 
    
Mr. M. has been a clerk in the legislature three sessions, and is now reading clerk in the house of representatives. He is a man greatly esteemed by his fellow citizens for his great perseverence [sic] and energy, for his untiring labors in behalf of the town of his choice, and for his many good qualities as an editor and citizen.