Clarke McCants was one of a distinguished line of lawyers. He was born at Winnsboro in 1885. A striking and beautiful tribute was given by Charles B. Elliott in Volume 2, South Carolina Law Quarterly, page 391, to him.
He attended the University of South Carolina and was tutored in the law by his father, James Glenn McCants. He was admitted to the Bar in 1907 and moved to Columbia in 1917. He practiced with the firm of Barron, McKay and Frierson and more lately, he was the head of the firm of McCants and McCants of Columbia. His respected son, Clarke W. McCants, Jr., was his partner.
In 1919, he married Miss Ethel Watson of Danville, Virginia, and they had three children, Clarke, Jr., Ethel (Lowder) and Katherine (DuBose). He served as a member of the American, South Carolina and Richland County Bar Associations. He stood high in his profession and was a strong advocate, noted for his sound judgment in matters of law and business.
His life pattern was broad and open — jovial, honorable, ethical, loyal. He was a church officer in the Presbyterian Church. He was a lover of nature and the husband and father in a happy home.