Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Magner, William Campbell ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 6:58 pm Author: History of Grundy County, 1914 MAGNER, William Campbell - Although many of the stirring events preceding the outbreak of the Civil War seem far away in the dim past to the rising generation, there are many men still living who distinctly remember when they occurred, and the powerful effect they had upon the country. One of these representative citizens of Grundy County whose recollections are valuable to the student of history, is William Campbell MAGNER of Morris. He was born in Orleans, Ind., October 21, 1837, a son of John A. and Sarah (CAMPBELL) MAGNER, natives of Bourbon and Clark Counties, Ky. The paternal grandparents, William and Mary (HOPKINS) MAGNER, were natives of Indiana; while the maternal grandparents, Robert and Mary (KEY) CAMPBELL, were born in Scotland and Maryland, respectively. All were among the pioneers of Kentucky. Mr. CAMPBELL was a slaveholder, but freed his slaves long before the Civil War, as he believed it contrary to his religious principles to hold them. He was a Presbyterian, as were all the other members of his family, and those of the MAGNER family as well. John A. MAGNER and Sarah CAMPBELL were married at Orleans, Ind., where Mr. MAGNER was a farmer, owning considerable land. In March, 1852, however, he moved to Paris, Ill., and two years later entered land in what is now Douglas County, which, at that time was undeveloped prairie. After five years on this new farm, he moved to Arcola, where he bought ten acres and lived until his death, in 1871. His wife had passed away in 1859, having borne her husband five sons and four daughters, of whom William C. was the eldest son and second child. William C. MAGNER was given more liberal educational advantages than come to some, for after he had attended the common schools, he was sent to the Paris Academy in 1856, and later to Washington College, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1860. Following this, he taught school in Mississippi, being there during the disturbing period preceding the Civil War, and was forced to serve for three months in a Mississippi company of infantry, but at the expiration of that time, he was able to get through the lines to Paris, Ill., where he enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Although he enlisted as a private, he was promoted in October, 1861, to be second lieutenant, and in April of the following year was advanced to be first lieutenant. At this time he was detailed into the United States Signal Service. Mr. MAGNER had the misfortune to be wounded by a gun shot in the right foot during the battle of Shiloh. He received his honorable discharge August 6, 1864, and returned to Paris, Ill. For the two years following his return, Mr. MAGNER was principal of Edgar Academy, at Paris, and during this time he was preparing himself for the ministry, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Palestine in April, 1866. His first charge was at Woodhull, Ill., where he remained six years, and for the following four years he was in charge of the church at Carthage. For the next four years, he was in charge of the church at Onarga, when he was called to Rossville, Ill., where he spent six useful years in pastoral work. For the next twelve years he was pastor of the church at Morris, when he retired, being installed as pastor emeritus. After the siege and surrender of Vicksburg, Mr. MAGNER was granted a furlough home, and on August 13, 1863, he was married to Maria E. STEVENSON, born April 3, 1843, at Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of John and Susan (MEYER) STEVENSON, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. MAGNER have been: Claude S., who lives in Chicago; Morris K., who lives in Morris; Sue S., who is at home; Sarah J., who is now Mrs. Dr. Frank A. PALMER of Morris; Willard C., who is postmaster of Morris; Harold, who died at the age of nineteen years; Joseph G., who lives at Morris; and Paul E., who is an inspector in the navy yard at Bremerton, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. MAGNER celebrated their golden wedding Aug. 13, 1913. Mr. MAGNER once served as collector of Morris on the Republican ticket. He is a Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery Mason. Many of the experiences of Mr. MAGNER are very interesting to hear related, for he had the pleasure of listening to the famous LINCOLN and DOUGLAS debate, at Charleston, Ill., and has met eight Presidents of the United States, having known GRANT and HARRISON personally. He saw and heard the famous Kentuckian, Henry CLAY, and remembers well the election of William Henry HARRISON. In 1874 Mr. MAGNER took a trip to Europe, and he has been in twenty-eight States of the Union, so his travels have been many and spread over a wide territory. In 1895 his book, entitled "Better Bible Study," was published and met with a gratifying reception. In his declining years Mr. MAGNER's life is made happy by his family, which consists of his wife, children and fourteen grandchildren. His life has been a very useful one, and he can look back with satisfaction upon it for he has never neglected a duty or failed to carry out any task imposed upon him, although at times his responsibilities have been heavy. A learned man, he yet knew how to get to the hearts of the simplest of his congregations, and was one of the most beloved pastors his churches ever knew. page 856 Additional Comments: Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 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