DAVID B. MAGNESS. A stroll through the city of Salem will give a visitor a good idea of the business enterprise of the people and the demand made upon its various lines of activity by the community. While passing down one of the main streets we come to the mill of Magness & Draper, and, with the curiosity of a stranger, we enter the building. One of the proprietors, with the utmost courtesy, conducts us through the mill, which is provided with the full roller system and is operated by steam, the capacity being eighty barrels per day. On every hand may be observed evidences of the thrift and progressive disposition of the owners, who justly rank among the successful business men of Salem.
Of southern birth and parentage, Mr. Magness is the son of Joseph Magness, a native of Rutherford County, N. C., who in turn was the son of Benjamin Magness. He was reared upon a farm, with Esther Beam, who survives him, still making her home in Rutherford (now called Cleveland) County. His death occurred in 1857. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living. Four sons participated in the Civil War, namely: Benjamin, who served in a Texas regiment in the Confederate army; D. B., of this sketch; J. J., who was Captain of a Confederate regiment, and Perry, who was also a member of a North Carolina company and is now deceased.
The father of this family served as Justice of the Peace for many years, and was a man of upright, honorable character, who won the high regard of his fellow-citizens. His widow is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
The subject of this sketch was born in Cleveland County, N. C., March 24, 1833, and was reared to manhood upon a farm, his time being devoted principally to the details of agricultural work. During three months in the summer he was a pupil in the free schools.
In 1854 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Whisnant, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Magness was born in Cleveland County, N. C., January 1, 1834, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children. Those now living are,
After his marriage Mr. Magness settled upon a farm in Cleveland County, where he was residing at the opening of the late war.
In December, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Thirtyeighth North Carolina Volunteers, C. S. A., in which he was First Lieutenant and later Captain. The regiment was organized at Raleigh, under Colonel Iloke, and was ordered to Richmond, Va., where Lieutenant Magness took an active part in the seven-days battle under Stonewall Jackson, the hero of the south. Later he participated in the second battle of Bull Run, also the engagements at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and then, under General Pickett, bore an honorable part in the celebrated charge of that commander. Being captured by the Federal troops, he was taken to Ft. Delaware, and from there conveyed to Johnson Island, where he was imprisoned for twenty-one months. All the horrors of long confinement, where he endured the pangs of hunger and the chill rigors of winter, were his to meet, but his spirit remained undaunted by hardships and privations. So nearly starved was he at one time that he was forced to eat rats. Finally, in March of 1865, he was parolled, and at once returned to his home. At the battle of Gettysburg he was struck by a spent ball in the chest, and by a piece of shell in the knee, but was not disabled thereby. His entire service covered a period of four years.
In 1867 Mr. Magness, accompanied by his family, removed from North Carolina to Illinois, the trip being made in a two-horse wagon, and six weeks being consumed by the journey. Locating upon a farm in Salem Township, Marion County, he rented land for a number of years, after which he settled on section 24, Salem Township, and now has two hundred acres of improved land.
In 1892, he came to Salem, where he formed a partnership in the milling business with W. L. Draper, and the firm is now one of the best known in the county.
As members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, Mr. Magness and his estimable wife contribute to the support of religious projects and endeavor to promote the cause of Christianity throughout this section. He is now Steward of the church and is an active worker in its behalf. He is also interested in educational matters, and during his occupancy of the position of School Director was instrumental in promoting the interests of the public schools.
Socially, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Magness possesses decision of character and tenacity of purpose, and has other valuable traits that have made him successful in business and rendered htm a successful civic official.
A Democrat in politics, he maintains a deep interest in the progress of his party, which he has frequently represented in county conventions.
For four years he filled the position of Highway Commissioner, and served as Supervisor of Salem Township for six years.
In 1886 he was elected County Treasurer, and discharged the duties of that position with fidelity and efficiency for a period of four years, retiring in 1890. Benevolent and sympathetic by nature, Mr. Magness is ever ready to extend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and by an upright and consistent Christian life has won the respect of his fellow-men.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 290 - 292
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer