Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
from "Memorial Record of Alabama"

HON. G. L. COMER, mayor of Eufaula and a prominent member of the bar of
southeastern Alabama, is a native of Barbour county, born at Spring Hill,
January 1, 1847. His father, J. F. Corner, son of Hugh Corner, of Georgia, was
born in Jones county, that state, and moved to Alabama in the year 1841,
settling in the vicinity of Old Spring Hill, Barbour county. He was a successful
planter, represented Barbour county in the legislature in 1856, and died in the
year following. His wife, whose maiden name was Catharine L. Drewry and who is
still living, bore him nine children, six of whom are living and whose names are
as follows: Hugh M., receiver of Georgia Central railroad, residing at the city
of Savannah; John W., cotton merchant, in the same place; G. L., Braxton B.,
president of the City National bank, Birmingham, Ala.; J. F., planter, and Ed.
T., a large cattle dealer of San Angelo, Tex. G. L. Comer's early education was
interfered with by the war, but he afterward entered the university of Georgia,
from which he graduated in 1867, and in 1869 completed his legal studies in the
law school of Lexington, Ky., receiving a degree from that institution. He was
admitted to the bar at Eufaula, in May, 1869, and at once entered upon the
practice of his profession in Barbour county, in the courts of which and
adjoining counties he has ever since done a very extensive business. For ten
years he was alone in the practice, but in 1874 became associated with John M.
McKleroy, which partnership continued until 1884. During the late war Mr. Comer
served in the Alabama state troops and participated in several engagements, but
his command was not actively engaged in any of the great campaigns beyond the
limits of the state. In 1882, he was elected mayor of Eufaula, and has filled
the position by successive re-elections ever since, and it is a fact,
universally conceded, that the city, at no time of its previous history, has
ever had as wise, able, faithful and judicious an executive. During his twelve
years' administration of the office, a number of public enterprises have been
inaugurated and completed, among which are the electric light plant, gas works,
water works, and free public schools, the equal of any in the state, and among
the business enterprises are the large cotton factory and grist mill, the
successful completion of which is largely due to his efforts in their behalf.
Mr. Comer is a born leader, and possesses, in a marked degree, the chivalrous
qualities characteristic of the true-born southern gentleman. Of striking
personal appearance, genial manners and kindly disposition, he makes friends of
all with whom he comes in contact, while as a lawyer he is keen, active in the
management of cases intrusted to him, and eminently honorable in the practice.
His popularity as an official is attested by his successive re-elections and by
the fact of his having overcome every species of opposition which his political
enemies could possibly devise for his overthrow. A politician, in the true sense
of the term, Mr. Corner has never resorted to the questionable arts of the
partisan or the demagogue to further his ends, and he has, at various times,
been his party's chosen delegate to county, district, state, and national
conventions. Mr. Comer is a director of the Eufaula cotton mills, has an
interest in the Bluff City mills, and is owner and proprietor of the New St.
Julien hotel, one of the most popular resorts for the traveling public in
southeastern Alabama. He is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity,
being a Knight Templar and master of the blue lodge, and he also holds
membership in the K. of P., K. of H. and A. O. U. W. The Baptist church
represents his religious creed, and his wife is also a member of that
denomination. The married life of Mr. Corner began on the 23d of June, 1870, at
which time Laura V. Thornton, daughter of Dr. W. H. Thornton, and niece of
ex-Governor Shorter, became his wife. A family of intelligent children have been
born to this union, namely: W. T., graduate of the university of Alabama, also
of Poughkepsie, N. Y., commercial college; at the present time he is bookkeeper
and manager of the business of his uncle, at Harris; Laura, Wallace, G. L., E.
T., Nell; Walter B., a bright boy, was drowned while bathing in the river at
Eufaula; Mary, Frank, Willis, and Robert C.

Son of John F. Comer (b. 1811) who came from Jones Co. GA to Barbour Co. AL about 1841. John F. was elected to the legislature in 1856 and died 1858, leaving a widow Catherine L. (Drewery) with their children. George Legare Comer was living with his widowed mother when the war came. A youth at the time, he served with the State Troops. He married 23 June 1870 Laura V. Thornton, dau. of Dr. W.H. Thornton & wife Mary B. Shorter. Legare became a respected member of the Bar and in 1882 was elected Mayor of Eufaula.