James “Jim” Penland (1888−1965) was one of Clay County’s most colorful and courageous characters. One of twelve children born to Newton and Margaret McClure Penland, he was blinded at age 11 in a hunting accident, when a wood chip hit him in one eye. Strangely, within a year, he lost sight in the other eye. He did not let this handicap deter him from achieving great things for his County and State. After completing studies at the North Carolina State School for the Blind, he returned to Clay County to operate a country store and Post Office in the Elf Community (east of Hayesville). In 1914 “Uncle Jim” was elected and served two years as Clay County’s Treasurer. In 1916 he also owned and operated the Clay County Telephone Company and amazed everybody with his skills as manager (keeping records in Braille) and as the supervisor of linesmen, as well as repairing telephones, making switchboard connections, and transmitting telegrams─all while being blind! He was Clay County’s Representative in the State Legislature from l919 to1920 and served as Mayor of Hayesville in 1936.
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