McElreath, Walter, 1867-1951

Walter McElreath was an Atlanta attorney, businessman and chairman of the board of the Atlanta Federal Savings and Loan. He was also one of the founders of the Atlanta Historical Society.

Walter McElreath (1867-1951), lawyer and historian, Georgia House of Representatives (1908-1912), born in Cobb County, Georgia.

Walter McElreath (1867-1951) was a lawyer, businessman, author and legislator. He was born in Lost Mountain, Georgia and attended Powder Springs High School before attending Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He was counsel for Industrial Life and Health Insurance Company and served as a member of the General Assembly of Georgia from 1909-1912. He was a pioneer in the development of mutual fund savings institutions. He was president of the Atlanta Federal Savings and Loan Association (1930-1950). He later served on the board and also was chairman. In 1926, McElreath joined with fourteen of the city's leading citizens to establish the Atlanta Historical Society. He served as the first president and then as "chairman of the board for life." He was trustee of the Atlanta Art Association and a member of the Civitan, the Burns Club, and the Demosthenian Literary Society. He was an honorary member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national fraternity at Washington and Lee University, and upon his retirement, started the Sweet Potato Festival in Lost Mountain, Georgia. McElreath was a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church (later the Grace Methodist Church) and served on its board of trustees and stewards.