Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: James. J. Maginnis

James Joseph Maginnis was born in Glendermot, Derry, Ireland, on November 8, 1870. His birthplace was found at Ancestry.com, and his birth date came from his naturalization index card, also at Ancestry.com. The names of his parents, Charles Maginnis and Bridget McDonagh, were recorded on the marriage certificate of his architect brother, Charles Donagh Maginnis (1867–1955).

Charles emigrated to the United States in 1885 and studied architecture in Boston. Church design was his specialty. Charles’s name was listed in many Massachusetts city directories. Ancestry.com has several Boston directories which list Charles including the years 1886, 1890 and 1892. James’s name also appeared in the 1892 directory, so he may have emigrated in 1890 or 1891. James and Charles resided at 267 St. Botolph and their occupation was draughtsman. Apparently, James had a similar education or training as his brother. James’s occupation in the 1894 directory said “Draughtsman Architect’s Office” In the next available Boston directory, 1897, architect James resided at 708 Huntington.

“James J. Maginnis” was mentioned in the Boston Globe newspaper from 1899 to 1917. The spelling as “James J. Maguinnis” was also found.

The 1901 and 1902 Brookline, Massachusetts city directories listed James as an illustrator at 5 Park Vale. Clark’s Boston Blue Book (1902) included James who was an active member of the Boston Press Club. His surname was spelled Maguinnis.

James contributed several comic strips to the Boston Globe. According to American Newspaper Comics (2012), the earliest one was The Loves of Artless Harry which ran from August 18 to October 27, 1901. A week after Artless Harry was Fuss and Gruff which ended in 1905. In 1902 James produced The Bully Boys and the Willie Boy, The Foxy Copper, and Hummer the Drummer. The following year he started Alec McSmarter, and Grandma and her Little Black Blossoms. Artful Alice, Little Fritzy, Little Rube, and Wisewinkers appeared in 1905. Fatty and Bunion aka Fatty the Fire Fiend began in 1910.

In the Philadelphia Press, James’s Herr Professor ran in 1906. James’s earliest comics contribution was for The Kaleidoscope, which was published the summer of 1897 in the New York Evening Journal.

The 1910 U.S. Federal Census recorded cartoonist James in Winthrop, Maine.

The Boston Globe wrote about James enlisting in the Canadian army during World War I. The article, “Former Globe Artist Confident That the War Will End Right” was published December 23, 1917. That article, or a version of it, was printed in Our Paper, December 29, 1917.

Confident War Will End Right.

James J. Maginnis. formerly a Globe artist, recently joined the 110th Royal Irish Regiment, and is now serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. His age disqualifying for active military service on this side of the line, he crossed to Canada to join the Infantry Corps.

“Many of the medical and other services,” he writes, “are quite interesting, and indeed would have suited me at one time during the war, but not now. Having passed out of the neutral state, I wanted, as the song says, to ‘express myself’!”

Later, in more serious vein, he writes: “I hope that the war may continue until it is ended right, no matter how many years it takes, Even then, it may not be the end of all wars, but the world will have learned a memorable lesson.

We know from individual experience that the only deeds that gives us happiness are good deeds. Nations are like individuals and they build their happiness on the ruins of their neighbors, and find no happiness. They will find it, however, eventually—all of them.

“I can see mankind, out of pure selfishness, humbly recognizing the truth of the command, ‘Love one another,’ and just as sure as we all know that this is the eternal truth which will never change, just so sure am I that the German gospel of hate will be beaten and swept entirely from the earth.—Boston Globe.

Ancestry.com’s U.S., Residents Serving in Canadian Expeditionary Forces, 1917–1918 had James’s birth year as 1873 and birthplace as Ireland. He was single and a New York City resident as of August 13, 1917.

1925 New York State Census recorded James at 75 Madison Avenue in New York City. The census said the cartoonist was naturalized in 1900 at Boston.

There was a James J. Maginnis, age 74, listed in the 1940 census. He resided at the Stratford House, 11 East 32nd Street, New York City. In 1935 he lived in Summerville, New Jersey. Apparently he was retired because the space for his occupation was blank and he had no income because he did not work in 1939.

James‘s brother Charles passed away February 15, 1955, in Brookline, Massachusetts. The Boston Herald, February 16, 1955, published the death notice:

In Brookline, February 15, Charles D. Maginnis beloved husband of the late Amy (Brooks) Maginnis, father of Alice M. Elizabeth, Paul F. and the Charles D. Maginnis, Jr.; brother of James J. Maginnis of New York City. Funeral from his home, 219 Dean rd, on Friday, February 18, at 9:15 A.M. Solemn Mass of Requiem at St. Lawrence Church, Chestnut Hill, at 10 o’clock. Relatives and friends are invited. Calling hours Wednesday 7 to 9 P.M. Thursday, 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Kindly omit flowers.

The date of James’s passing is not known.


—Alex Jay