HON. JAMES McCARTNEY, Springfield, was born in, Perry County, Penn., February 14, 1835, of Scotch ancestry, but his parents were born in Ireland. his father moved to Lawrence County, Penn., when James was about six years of age, where he resided for a period of about five years, afterward moving to Trumbull County, Ohio, where ge, together with his father, engaged in farming.
During the winter months, he went to school, and advanced rapidly in his studies; at the age of sixteen, he attended the high school, and for a brief period in the fall pursued his studies with energy and diligence, and during the winter obtained a position as teacher, which he filled for some time, after which he became a student at the Western Reserve Seminary, at Farmington, Ohio, and during his college life here he often visited the school at Hiram, Ohio, which was then presided over by Hon. James A. Garfield.
In 1856, he entered the law office of Hon. Matthew Birchard, at Warren, Ohio, and commenced the study of law, where he remained for about one year, and in October, 1857, went to onmunth, Ill., and went into the office of Harding & Reed, where he finished reading and was admitted to the bar in 1858, and immediately entered into partnership with Mr. Reed.
In 1859, he removed to Galva, Henry Co., Ill.., and successfully practiced law until the war broke out. On the 19th of April, 1861, he enlisted in a company raised at Galva, and was elected First Lieutenant. The company was mustered into the service as Company D, seventeenth Illinois Infantry. After serving faithfully until after the battle of Fort Donelaon, his health failing from exposure, he was compelled to resign his commission. He visited Lake Superior and after recovering his health returned and again entered the service as First Lieutenant in Company G, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, Col. Thomas J. Henderson commanding. He was soon after promoted to a Captaincy and served through the war, and mustered out with the regiment at Camp Douglas in July, 1865. While in the service, he was engaged in doing special duty as Judge Advocate of Court Martials, and for nearly a year as A. A. A. G. of the Third Brigade, Third Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Ohio.
After being mustered out of the service in 1865, he immediately went to Fairfield, Ill., and recommenced the practice of law, which has occupied his attention ever since. In May, he was nominated Attorney General by the State Convention, to which office he was elected. He is a gentleman of high legal abilities, and competent in every respect to till that exalted position. Personally he is a most agreeable gentleman, and extremely popular with all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
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