Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 825.
 
JOHN ELIAS MAGERS

     an able member of the bar in McMinnville, and a partner in the well-known
firm of McCain & Magers, is an Oregon pioneer of 1852. He is a native of Ohio,
where he was born, in Morgan county, September 25, 1847. His ancestors were
German, who were among the early settlers of Virginia, where his father, Dr. W.
B. Magers, was born. His father married Miss Mary Jane Barkhurst, also descended
from a well-known American family, a sister of Captain John W. Barkhurst, now
Treasurer of Morgan county, Ohio. The family came to Oregon in 1853, where Mr.
Magers' father practiced medicine for thirty-eight years, being a most talented
and successful practitioner, and a most worthy gentleman, devoted to his
profession, and of generous impulses, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all
who knew him. He died in this State in 1890, much lamented by the community and
his friends.
     The subject of our sketch was five years old when his parents removed to
this State, and was educated in the public schools and at Willamette University.
He afterward taught school for a number of years, being for three years
Professor of Mathematics in the Baptist College, at McMinnville.
     In 1877 he went East, where he entered the law department of the State
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in 1879. While at Ann
Arbor he was president of his law class for nine months, and was vice-president
of the Red Ribbon Club of the University, with Edward Olney as president.
     After graduating, he returned to Oregon, where he formed a partnership with
Hon. G. W. Lawson, of Salem. After practicing there for a year he came to
McMinnville, where he soon acquired prominence, both as a lawyer and citizen.
His firm is the most widely known in that vicinity, and enjoys a very large and
lucrative practice.
     He was married in 1879 to Miss D. E. Schrader, a native of Wisconsin and a
step-daughter of the Hon. Henry Warren, an Oregon pioneer. They have two
children, Fleta L. and Veva I.
     Mr. Magers owns considerable city and country real estate, and has one of
the handsomest residences and most beautiful lawns in the city. He has probably
a larger private library than any one in this vicinity, comprising many rare and
valuable books.
     He is an energetic and prominent Republican, and as an eloquent and able
expounder of his party's doctrines, he frequently acts in its campaigns and
councils, and for several years has been president of the Republican County
Central Committee of his county. In 1882 he received the nomination of his party
as Representative to the State Legislature, making a strong canvass, but the
political parties in his county being about equally divided, the election
resulted in a tie. He is likewise prominently engaged in advancing the welfare
of all public enterprises of his favorite city, taking particular interest in
the college, of which he has been for years a trustee, and was at one time
president of that body, and has been for several years, and is now, president of
the Executive Board of said college.
     He is an eminent Mason, and holds the office of High Priest of the chapter.
In 1877 he was the representative of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars of Oregon,
at the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the World, at Portland, Maine, and in the
following year represented the same body at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also
an honored member of the Pioneer Society of the State.
     He is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church, to the support,
of which he has liberally contributed.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.