James McMurtrie was born on February 17, 1837, in Dalmellington, Scotland, to James and Jane McMurtrie. He was baptized nine days later. The family immigrated to America around 1850 and settled in Bristol, Illinois. He moved to Peoria, Illinois, in the 1850s, and he earned a living as a printer.
He enlisted in the Union army on July 25, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company E of the 8th Illinois Infantry. According to his service records, he was 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with brown hair and grey eyes. The regiment took part in the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg. He mustered out on July 30, 1864. He died sometime after leaving the army.