Haralson County GaArchives Biographies.....McMahan, Wiley Clark December 18, 1865 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Candace (Teal) Gravelle http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00023.html#0005680 February 3, 2007, 12:13 am Author: "The Cleburne News" Heflin, Cleburne Co., Alabama NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JANUARY 24, 1935 WILEY CLARK McMAHAN; A Lawyer of Old School; A Man of Fine Traits and Habits It is not a difficult task to write a biography on the life of our worthy townsman, lawyer, friend and much respected citizen, Wiley Clark McMahan, a native of Cleburne county, born December 18, 1865, only a few months after the closing of the War Between the States. We used the words "not difficult" but the reason is that he is an outstanding citizen who has done much for the community and is, at the same time, a highly respected and able representative of his profession. Mr. McMahan is a son of William and Adeline (Gaines) McMahan; his father being a native of Georgia, while his mother was a native of Virginia, a scion of the old and highly respected family of that name which dates back through the history of the colonies. Our subject was the eighth of ten sons, and lived under the paternal roof and helped his father until he became of age. At the age of twenty-one he engaged himself in teaching at the public schools, which vocation he followed for a period of eleven years. During the eleven years that Mr. McMahan was teaching, he served as a juror as his turn came, which, among other things, fitted him for the excellent service in striking a jury and today he holds the reputation of being the best of any lawyer along these lines, who ever practiced law in this county. At a very early age it occurred to our subject that he wanted to became a law practitioner. His father being a very large land owner tried in every way to dissuade him in this thought and endeavored to direct his mind to different channels, but notwithstanding this father's demurrers to his ideas, he persisted and at the age of 32 he came to Edwardsville and began to diligently prepared himself for his future life's work. He studied under the able instructions of R.L. Evans, Esq. So well did our young subject apply himself that at the expiration of ninety days he was admitted to practice in the courts of Cleburne County. Later when the county seat was moved to Heflin, Mr. McMahan also established himself here and has been a staid, able and conscientious practitioner and citizen until now, and during the interim he has in many ways portrayed his ability and interested himself in civic affairs, and today he stands as one of the shining examples of thrift, energy and a determination to do and be something in the world of men and its affairs. During Mr. McMahan's thirty-seven years of practice in the courts of Cleburne county and the higher courts, he has paid strict attention to business and has given entire satisfaction to his many clients, so much so, that during this long period of time he had never absented himself from his duties by vacationing or otherwise, being as it were "on the job" at all times. A blessing which God has bestowed upon our subject which is much in his favor, is that he has enjoyed good health, save from a stagnated blood which gives him from time to time, rheumatic pains in his right knee. Wiley Clark McMahan married first Miss Emma Groover, daughter of W.K. and Nora Groover. Her father served with much distinction in the Civil War, having been wounded thrice while defending the front ranks of battle. Four sons and three daughters were born of this union, all of which are now situated in their various stations in life. Mrs. McMahan passed to hear heavenly home in 1918. In 1920 our subject married Miss Cornelia SMITH, daughter of Alf and Susie Smith, residents of TALLAPOOSA, Georgia. Two children, Wiley K. and Freeman, both at home, are of this marriage. Mr. McMahan is a member of the local I.O.O.F. and of the Knights of Pythias; both he and his good wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church, being regular in their attendance upon both church services and Sunday School and are a great promoter of all day singings, he having been Secretary of this movement for more than 25 years. He is also recognized as having a reputation of being the best writer in Cleburne county. It would be impossible for us to make commendable mention of the many admirable traits given to our subject, in as much as we feel he is generally recognized as a man among men, and has ever stood ready to do his full share toward the upbuilding and uplift of this section of Alabama. However we desire to call our attention to his modern and convenient home, the least expensive and most conveniently arranged in the county, as it is equipped with a complete lighting plant, radio and a home water system operated by a big windmill, an abundance of fruit, vineyards and good pastures, situated on an 80 acre farm. The life of Wiley Clark McMahan has been clean cut. He has never been an addict to the tobacco habit in any of its forms; he has ever refrained from the use of alcohols in any way; his habits have been regular and he has devoted his life exclusively to the practice of law and to the uplift of the community in which he has lived, and in helping the fallen to retrieve and press onward and upward in the battle of life, and as a result of this clean life, he has never suffered from headache, influenze or la grippe, never takes cold. 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