Custom Field:<_FA#> SSAN 441-01-8454@@S010447@@Tree #1186Date of Import: Apr 26, 1999
[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 21, Ed. 1, Tree #1186, Date of Import: Apr 26, 1999]
William "Mack" Jefferson was born December 17, 1883 in Murfreesboro,
Arkansas. Mack first moved to Wright City, OK in 1921 from Ft. Towson
where he worked for his Uncle Tobe Brussel(Bussell). He had worked for
the Dierks Industries Company in 1902, but only for a short time. Between
1904 and 1907 he cut logs near Lockesburg, Arkansas. He worked again for
the company a short time in 1917 and in 1923 began continuous service
with Dierks that lasted 36 years. His first job at the saw mill was
greasing lumber buggy wheels and later was grader in the shipping
department. It was during this time spent as lumber grader that Mack
invented a system for grading and sorting southern pine lumber. His
system was developed by the company and implemented thoughout the Souther
Pine Association. Uncle Mack, as he was called by all, was one of the
most enthusiastic safety advocates the company ever had. He was also one
of the safety committeemen at Wright City and the highlight of his career
with the company was a trip to Kansas City in 1937 to attend the National
Safety Congress. Mack was a great outdoorsman; nature and wildlife held
a great fasination for him. This, combined with his interest in the
youth of his community, led to his involvement in sports and activities
for the young people. He was instrumental in organizaing the first
softball teams in the early 1930's and was among the first boy scout
leaders in the Wright City area. In an era when the entertainment you
had was whatever you made, these activities plus the picnics, hunting and
fishing expeditions he planned were most significant. Mack was married
to Ella Jane (Vinson) for 50 years and they had two sons and a daughter;
George, Christie, and Naomi. During the 1950s, three generations of the
Jefferson family worked at the mill; Mack, his son Christie, and grandson
Chris. Mack, a man of many talents and interests lived a full, well
rounded like, also taking time to write interesting notes and news for
the Dierks Company. Though his achievements were many and varied, he
sought no praise or acknowledgement. In summary, his own words pay
tribute to him best. "This I consider a privilege, not a duty!"