Jim Magness Rites Set Thursday

James M. Magness, 87, died Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Prairie Good Samaritan Center where he had been a resident for the past three years. Funeral services will be ocnducted by Rev. James Smucker, thursday 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

Jim will be best reembered as a prominent auctioneer. Jim sold his first sale at Wessington at the age of 17. It was a great success - which gave him conficence enought to later be considered the best auctioneer in the midwest. He has sold sales in 27 different states. He always specialized in registered livestock and was always partial to the Hereford stain of cattle, and not only sold them, but raised them as well. He also encouraged 4-H members to start their herds with quality cattle.

Second only to his livestock interests was politics. Jim has served as Democrat precinct committeeman, central committeeman, county chairman of Hand County, state senator, state Democratic chairman for six years, chairman of the delegation to the National Convention in Los Angles in 1960 and a Democratic worker for more than 50 years.

James M. Magness was born June 27, 1890, at Ute Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Magness. He was the ninth of a family of twelve, seven boys and five girls. Of the seven boys all were auctioneers except one.

Jim attended grade school in Iowa, later coning to South Dakota in 1906 and finished high school in St. Lawrence. He lived there with his older brother Ben, who was in the livestock and auction business and Jim joined Ben in his business.

Jim was married to Mabel Altenow of St. Lawrence, December 17, 1913 at St. Lawrence. They enjoyed 61 years of married life together. They lost a son in infancy and later adopted Vivian, the daughter of Jim's brother Dick whose wife died during the flu epidemic in 1913.

Throughout his lifetime, Jim's interests and activities were varied and many. He started the Miller Livestock Auction Company in 1939. He was Past President of the chamber of Commerce, served on the Selective Service Board through World War II, was always active in Civic Drives. He was a member of Kiwanis, BPOE, IOOF and member and past trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He was named in "Who's Who" in November 1961.

In 1974, he was named eminent South Dakota Farmer and received the outstanding member award from the Hand County Livestock Improvement Association. He raised and enjoyed his race horses.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Vivian Mitcheltree, 224 E. New York, Rapid City, two grandchildren, Douglas James Hartman, Portland, OR and Mary Ellen, Mrs Tom Collins, Portland. One brother Ray Magness, Miller and one sister, Mrs. Grace Embree of Portland.

He was preceded in death by his wife and infant son, his parents, six brothers and four sisters.

Interment will be in the St. Lawrence cemetery. Pallbearers are Ted Jennings, Carl Johanson, Brice Clegg, Wilmer Fritts, Clayton Jennings and Roger Moncur.

Ree Heights Review, Ree Heights, Hand, South Dakota,
Friday, November 11, 1977

Also in The Daily Plainsman, Huron, Beadle, South Dakota
Tuesday, November 8, 1977, p2 c7
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Mark Collins provided links to parents.
1-11-2016

Jim Magness Rites Set Thursday

James M. Magness, 87, died Sunday, Nov. 6 at the Prairie Good Samaritan Center where he had been a resident for the past three years. Funeral services will be ocnducted by Rev. James Smucker, thursday 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

Jim will be best reembered as a prominent auctioneer. Jim sold his first sale at Wessington at the age of 17. It was a great success - which gave him conficence enought to later be considered the best auctioneer in the midwest. He has sold sales in 27 different states. He always specialized in registered livestock and was always partial to the Hereford stain of cattle, and not only sold them, but raised them as well. He also encouraged 4-H members to start their herds with quality cattle.

Second only to his livestock interests was politics. Jim has served as Democrat precinct committeeman, central committeeman, county chairman of Hand County, state senator, state Democratic chairman for six years, chairman of the delegation to the National Convention in Los Angles in 1960 and a Democratic worker for more than 50 years.

James M. Magness was born June 27, 1890, at Ute Iowa, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Magness. He was the ninth of a family of twelve, seven boys and five girls. Of the seven boys all were auctioneers except one.

Jim attended grade school in Iowa, later coning to South Dakota in 1906 and finished high school in St. Lawrence. He lived there with his older brother Ben, who was in the livestock and auction business and Jim joined Ben in his business.

Jim was married to Mabel Altenow of St. Lawrence, December 17, 1913 at St. Lawrence. They enjoyed 61 years of married life together. They lost a son in infancy and later adopted Vivian, the daughter of Jim's brother Dick whose wife died during the flu epidemic in 1913.

Throughout his lifetime, Jim's interests and activities were varied and many. He started the Miller Livestock Auction Company in 1939. He was Past President of the chamber of Commerce, served on the Selective Service Board through World War II, was always active in Civic Drives. He was a member of Kiwanis, BPOE, IOOF and member and past trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He was named in "Who's Who" in November 1961.

In 1974, he was named eminent South Dakota Farmer and received the outstanding member award from the Hand County Livestock Improvement Association. He raised and enjoyed his race horses.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Vivian Mitcheltree, 224 E. New York, Rapid City, two grandchildren, Douglas James Hartman, Portland, OR and Mary Ellen, Mrs Tom Collins, Portland. One brother Ray Magness, Miller and one sister, Mrs. Grace Embree of Portland.

He was preceded in death by his wife and infant son, his parents, six brothers and four sisters.

Interment will be in the St. Lawrence cemetery. Pallbearers are Ted Jennings, Carl Johanson, Brice Clegg, Wilmer Fritts, Clayton Jennings and Roger Moncur.

Ree Heights Review, Ree Heights, Hand, South Dakota,
Friday, November 11, 1977

Also in The Daily Plainsman, Huron, Beadle, South Dakota
Tuesday, November 8, 1977, p2 c7
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mark Collins provided links to parents.
1-11-2016