Biographical Sketch of W. J. McMahan, Johnson County, Missouri, Columbus Township. >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** W. J. McMahan, a prominent farmer and stockman of Columbus township, is a native of Morgan county, Missouri. He was born April 23, 1865, a son of Andrew Jackson and Sarah Frances (Hull) McMahan, the former, a native of Johnson county and the latter, of Franklin county, Missouri. Andrew Jackson McMahan was born in 1834 on a farm located six miles southeast of Warrensburg, a son of Granster McMahan, a native of Virg- inia, who came to Johnson county probably in the early thirties and located on the farm near Warrnesburg, where his son Andrew Jackson, was born. The grandfather McMahan died on the farm now owned by his grand- son, W. J., the subject of this review, and burial was made at Mount Moriah cemetery. Before the Civil War, the McMahans moved to a farm in Columbus township and in 1868 settled on the farm known now as the W.J. McMahan place. In January, 1911, the death of Andrew Jackson McMahan occurred at his home in Warrensburg. Burial was made in the cemetery at Warrensburg. The widow of Mr. McMahan is now living, at the advanc- ed age of seventy-six years, in Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan were the parents of nine children: Mrs. Bettie Burris, Warrensburg, Missouri; W. J., the subject of this review; Bennie, who died in childhood at the age of four years; Annie, who died at the age of six years; Malah, who died in childhood; Mrs. Mattie Fitzgerald, Columbus township; and Arthur, who died at the age of three years. At Shiloh, W. J. McMahan received a good common school education. Early in life, he began farm- ing and stock raising and until he was thirty-three years of age re- mained at home and worked for his parents. Mr. McMahan's first school teacher was Abraham Whaley, a well known pioneer of Columbus township and at one time owner of the Forrest Wilson farm in this district. In 1902, Mr. McMahan purchased his present home from his father. The Mc- mahan farm comprises 175 acres of valuable land, 20 acres of which are timbered, upland with the exception of a small tract of 20 acres. W. J. McMahan and his father added all the improvements now on the place, which include a splendid stock and hay barn, 28 x 54 feet in dimensions, and a comfortable residence of six rooms built about 1893. Cattle, hogs, and horses of high grade are raised on this farm, which is loca- ted twelve miles northwest of Warrensburg. October 5, 1897, W. J. Mc- Mahan was united in marriage with Sadie Dillon, daughter of E. E. Dillon and Maria Jane (Ramsey) Dillon, honored pioneers of Knob Noster. Mr. Dillon was a native of Illinois. He came from that state to John- son county about 1865 and bought a farm of 120 acres of land now owned by Perry and Debo Fulkerson. On this place, Mrs. McMahan was born. She has living two sisters: Mrs. Birdie McCullum, Kansas City, Missouri; and Mrs. Mary A. Richley, Warrensburg, Missouri. E. E. Dillon died in 1894 and Mrs. Dillon is now residing in Warrensburg. The father was laid to rest in the cemetery at Columbus, Missouri. To W. J. and Sadie (Dillon) McMahan have been born three children: Uel, who is now a stu- dent in the Farmers High School; Erma Lee, who is a student in the Warrensburg High School; and Jesse Vernon, at home with his parents. The McMahans are one of the highly valued and most respected families of Johnson county. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================