Short Biography of William Jackson Defee

William Jackson Defee was born in Jefferson, Texas on 20 July 1871. 
He was the son of Green Pinkham DeFee and Margaret Anna Carr DeFee,
 who had left Pike County, Alabama seeking a new home around 1870. 
They eventually settled in Hunt County, Texas, where his parents owned 
a small farm. He was raised in this area, along with his four sisters and 
three brothers. It was here that he met his future wife, Ruby Dennis, 
daughter of William I. and Anna Dennis. They were married in Greenville, 
Texas on 21 July 1903. They later moved to Texarkana, where he opened 
a drug store and pharmacy. Mr. DeFee was one of the first licensed 
pharmicist's in the State of Texas. He served as Texarkana's City 
Secretary from 28 April 1916 to 26 April 1920. The family moved to 
the then boom town of Breckenridge for a short time but later returned 
to Texarkana where he resumed his drugstore and pharmacy business. 
The family lived many years at 2717 Olive street. Mr. DeFee died 26 
May 1941, leaving behind, his wife Ruby DeFee, daughters Ruth DeFee 
Sweeney and Frances Defee McLarty and sons William J. DeFee and 
Robert DeFee. Mr. DeFee was a Mason and is buried at Hillcrest 
Cemetery beside his beloved wife Ruby, who passed away in 1944.

Submitted by William A. Sweeney, Grandson of William J. Defee

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages 
may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation 
by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations 
desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of 
the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, 
and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this 
consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb 
Archives to store the file permanently for free access. 
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------