Law and journalism have been efficiently combined in the career of James Howard Fagan of Herkimer, Herkimer county, New York, and to the reputation which he has achieved through his large legal practice Mr. Fagan has added that of a most competent and brilliant newspaper man, which has made his name known throughout the Mohawk valley and central New York. In addition, he is a prominent factor in democratic politics in Herkimer county and takes a lively interest in the affairs of his party. Mr. Fagan has for many years been the trusted correspondent of some of the most influential papers of the state, among them being the old Utica Observer, the Utica Daily Press, the Knickerbocker Press of Albany, the Post-Standard of Syracuse, the Syracuse Herald, the Herald-Dispatch of Utica, now the Observer-Dispatch, the Evening Telegram of Herkimer, and the Associated Press. Mr. Fagan was born in Herkimer, on February 28, 1878, the son of James and Mary (Murray) Fagan, the former of whom was born in County Meath, Ireland, and died February 25, 1919. The mother, the daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Bryan) Murray, was born in Jacksonburgh, New York, on October 7, 1843, and died December 14, 1923. Her family came from County Cork, Ireland, and she and her husband were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living: Mrs. Anna Seaman, Elizabeth, William T., Francis Arthur, James Howard, Paul M., Harry C., and Dr. Albert L.
James Howard Fagan obtained his early education in the grade and high schools of Herkimer and he matriculated in Niagara University, at Niagara Falls, New York, where he received his A. B. degree in 1899 and the degree of A. M. in 1901. After being graduated Mr. Fagan studied law in the offices of Snyder, Cristman & Earl in Herkimer and was admitted to the bar in 1904. He immediately engaged in the general practice of law in Herkimer, has built up a large practice and is recognized as one of the leaders of the local bar, and is still engaged in practice in addition to his large newspaper correspondence. Mr. Fagan served as the village attorney of Herkimer for two terms, but his interest in politics does not extend to seeking public office for himself. In religion he is a member of the Roman Catholic faith and attends St. Francis De Sales Roman Catholic Church in Herkimer. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, Herkimer Council No. 579, the American Insurance Union, and Vega Caravan, Order of Alhambra. Mr. Fagan also belongs to the Herkimer County Historical Society, the Herkimer County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
On April 30, 1913, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mr. Fagan was married to Miss Ruth Margaret Stewart, daughter of John J. and Emma Sluyter Stewart of Council Bluffs. Mrs. Fagan's father, John J. Stewart, is one of the most prominent attorneys of Council Bluffs. Mr. Fagan is a lifelong resident of the village of Herkimer.