Ira Mahaffey has for two terms, two years each, been the affable and courteous clerk of the District Court at Concordia. Few people entirely appreciate the ability and tact required for the successful administration of such an office. Not only must the records be properly kept, legible and correct and easily grasped by the ordinary mind, but the clerk himself must be accommodating and at all times genial and attentive to those who have business with his office. All these qualities Mr. Mahaffey possesses and more too.
Politically he is a republican, and while he is a strong believer in his party and its principles, he does not fail to admit that other party beliefs have good ideas and character. Prior to his election as District Court elerk Mr. Mahaffey served as deputy clerk of the court one year, and was deputy county clerk for two years, one year under a republican and one year under a democratic clerk. In the fall of 1916 he was elected for a third term to his present office.
Ira Mahaffey was born in Washington County, Kansas, October 30, 1883, a son of Samuel and Emma J. Mahaffey. His parents made permanent settlement in Kansas in 1879, but his father had homesteaded a claim in this state as early as 1870. Samuel Mahaffey was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a private in Company H of the Thirtieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was in the army more than three years, and while in service lost his right leg in a railroad wreck, and was subsequently given his honorable discharge. In the family were three children: Ira, Samuel G., and Harvey D.
Mr. Mahaffey was educated in the common schools at Greenleaf, Kansas, was graduated from the Concordia Normal and Business College in 1906 and in 1907 completed his course in stenography. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Aneient Order of United Workmen.
On March 24, 1910, he married Miss Fleta M. Pitman, Three children were born to their union, named Hazel I., Vera L. and Cora I.