Union County ArArchives Biographies.....Mahony, Emon O. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 August 16, 2009, 7:43 pm Source: See Full Citation Below Biography Author: S. J. Clarke JUDGE EMON O. MAHONY. Judge Emon O. Mahony of El Dorado stood as a man among men, honored by reason of his marked ability in his profession and his fidelity to the highest activities and standards of life. He was a representative of a family whose impress has been indelibly left upon the history of Union county, and none of the name has done more to promote the welfare and progress of the county than he. His interest centered in those forces which make for good and by reason of his ability and sterling qualities his position was one of leadership in his home city. He was born in El Dorado, September 4, 1873, and his entire life was passed in his native town, where he laid down the burden and cares of this world on the 28th of August. 1920. Just entering upon the prime of life, it seemed that he should have been spared for years to come, yet within the comparatively brief period of his earthly existence he accomplished much more than do many men of almost twice his age. He was the second in order of birth in a family of five sons and one daughter whose parents were Edmund and Mary Mahony. The father, a native of Ireland, came to the new world in the early '60s and throughout his entire life followed the tailor's trade, which he had learned in early manhood in his native country. His death occurred in El Dorado. His wife in her maidenhood was Mary Klopher. Her father came to this country from Saxony in the early '40s and married Signor Torpin, who was of Norwegian ancestry. His death occurred in El Dorado when his daughter, Mrs. Mahony, was only three years of age and Mrs. Klopher afterward became the wife of James Mellor, an Englishman, who in his boyhood witnessed the coronation procession of Queen Victoria of England and saw the great, throngs of people who on that eventful occasion stood in and near Kensington square for the whole day long. In early life Emon O. Mahony was left an orphan and upon him devolved not only the responsibility of providing for his own support but also of contributing to the support of the younger members of the family. In fact almost his entire earnings in his young manhood went to the care and education of his younger brothers and sister. He faced hardships, privations and trials in so doing, but he never counted the cost nor regarded it as a sacrifice to do for those of his own household. One of his biographers at the time of his death said: "During these years of privation and trial for those whom he loved and considered himself responsible for. he was necessarily forced into contact with much that was vicious and corrupt, but he in no way became a part of it. The same inherent love for mental cleanliness, truth and honor that so distinguished the works of the man in after life kept the boy unstained in his unfortunate environments. By his untiring energy and great determination of purpose he lived to see all the younger children well educated and established in their chosen callings and professions—one in law, one as a physician and the sister a school teacher." Judge Mahony himself attended the public schools of El Dorado and afterward enjoyed the benefit of instruction in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He determined upon the practice of law as a life work and conscientiously prepared himself for the calling, being admitted to practice at the bar at El Dorado in 1896. No dreary novitiate awaited him. notwithstanding the fact that advancement at the bar is proverbially slow. He soon won recognition as an able lawyer, preparing his cases with great thoroughness and care and ever presenting his cause with clearness and force before the court. In 1898 he was elected county and probate judge of Union county and so capably served in that position that he was twice reelected. The affairs of the county at that time were in a deplorable financial condition. There was a considerable county indebtedness and the county warrants were sold at a large discount, while the courthouse, which was built in 1848, was fast falling into decay. ness and he also was instrumental in erecting the present courthouse. In 1903. when legislative provision brought about the establishment of chancery court districts, Judge Mahony was appointed by the governor of the state as judge of the seventh chancery district, embracing Union, Ouachita, Columbia, Calhoun, Dallas and Lafayette counties. For six years he continued in this position, discharging his duties with credit to himself and marked satisfaction to the bench and bar of the state. In 1912 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the thirteenth judicial district and served in the office for two terms, or four years, when he withdrew and entered upon the private practice of his profession in El Dorado. His work in the office of prosecuting attorney had been of a most fair and impartial character, yet he had been zealous and vigorous in the prosecution of all evildoers, so that his name became a terror to those who did not hold themselves amenable to law. In 1917 he received from Hon. J. T. Robinson, United States senator from Arkansas, appointment to the position of United States district attorney for the western district of the state, with headquarters at Fort Smith, and on the 30th of September, 1917, he was reappointed to the office by President Woodrow Wilson, continuing to serve until his demise. Over his official record there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. His duties were ever discharged with marked promptness and fidelity and his native powers were used to the utmost in the faithful performance of the tasks that devolved upon him. Throughout his entire life Judge Mahony was a stalwart advocate of democratic principles and a recognized leader in party ranks in Arkansas. When the state convention met in June, 1920, he was selected a delegate from his congressional district to the national democratic convention, which met in San Francisco, but on account of the serious illness of his sister at that time he did not attend. Judge Mahony was married January 27, 1898, to Miss Pattie Wright, who was also born and reared in El Dorado. They were playmates from early childhood, sweethearts from early youth and their companionship following their marriage was largely an ideal one. Mrs. Mahony is a daughter of Colonel John C. and Mary A. Wright, representatives of one of the old pioneer families of southern Arkansas, her father having valiantly served as a Confederate soldier in the Civil war and ranking at all times as an honored and higthly respected citizen of Union county. Judge Mahony always made his home in El Dorado but was the owner of a splendid farm six miles southeast of the city, and it was his delight when the duties of his office were over for the day to mount his saddle horse and ride to his farm. He found much recreation in supervising the place, which was devoted to the raising of thoroughbred white-faced cattle, there being more than six hundred head on the farm at the time of his death. The greatest happiness in his life, however, came to him through the companionship of his wife, his interests at all times centering in his home. However, he continually found opportunity to aid his fellowmen and he constantly left the impress of his ability and of his character upon the conditions of society and the people whom he met. As the years passed on he prospered in his undertakings and had gained the plane of affluence ere he was called home. His delight in his success came by reason of the fact that it enabled him to do for others and he was constantly extending a helping hand where aid was needed. He studied the great laws of life and saw back of them the hand of the Creator. He passed on August 28, 1920, and the high esteem in which he was uniformly held was best indicated in the great concourse of people that followed his remains as they were laid to rest in El Dorado cemetery. The humble and the great stood by his bier. People of prominence came from all parts of the state and the beautiful floral offerings expressed the high regard everywhere tendered him. His life burned with an intense desire for the good of all and for all that is best for the race, and his life was attuned to the divine and to the good that lies within his fellowmen. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him and remains as a blessed benediction to those who were closely associated with him. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/union/photos/bios/mahony414bs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/union/bios/mahony414bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 9.2 Kb