409 S. Main Street - James Magruder Warren, Jr.

James Macgruder Warren, Jr., was born to Nannie Williett Sprinkle and Dr. James M. Warren on March 24, 1896 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Magruder name was inherited from his paternal grandmother, Virginia Watson Magruder, the wife of Edwin Tiffin Harrison.

Warren attended Harrisonburg High School and then Washington & Lee University. Shortly after finishing his degree, he enlisted as a private in the Virginia National Guard on June 12th, 1917 to serve in World War I. He was trained in Virginia (Roanoke), Alabama (Anniston), Texas (Kelly Field and Austin), Oklahoma (Post Field), and Texas again (Waco) from June 1917 until November 1918. He was promoted from Private to Sergeant in October of 1917, and then from Sergeant to a Cadet in the new Aviation Corps with flying status in March 1918. He was never sent overseas and was discharged as a cadet on November 30th, 1918. When Warren returned to civilian life, he began a career in fire insurance.

Reflecting on the war and military service, James Warren stated he was “a believer of universal military training.” He did not experience a change in mental attitude, perhaps because he did not actually see combat. However he did feel a physical benefit as a result of his World War I service.

Warren was drafted for World War II, by which time he was working at the First National Bank Building in Harrisonburg and married to Frances S. Warren. Together, James and Frances had at least 3 children, all sons, one of whom was named James Magruder Warren III. James and Frances lived at 409 South Main, which is no longer standing but is now the site of the City Hall of Harrisonburg. They also lived at 17 West Grace Street and built the home there. This property is now owned by James Madison University. Edwin and Virginia Warren, Warren's grandparents, lived at 301 South Main Street in Harrisonburg, known as the Warren-Sipe House (Sipe comes from a family that lived at the location after the Warrens), which is currently home to the Virginia Quilt Museum. Edwin died at a young age of 34 after serving in the Confederacy. James and Williett, Warren's parents, also lived in Harrisonburg, however the exact site of their home is unclear.

James Warren, Jr. died on October 20th, 1972 in Harrisonburg, Virginia of a pulmonary embolism. He is buried with his wife, and the rest of his family, in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg. 

Warren, James Magruder Warren, Jr. War History Commission State of Virginia Military Service Record. Library of Virginia, Virginia War History Commission.

United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.

United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration.

Virginia, Deaths, 1912–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia. James Magruder Warren Jr.