To realize the marvelous development of the agricultural interests of Florida within the last decade, a visitor must contrast former with present conditions, the result being the conclusion that more has been accomplished in the development of this great industry within this time than ever before in the history of the state. This change has been assisted by progressive legislation supplementing the efforts of a few energetic, far-sighted men, whose practical application of scientific discoveries have brought about amazing results. Among these clear-headed, well informed, thorough-going men, none deserve a larger measure of public approval than William Allen McRae, Commissioner of Agriculture.
Commissioner McRae is a native of Florida and was born on his father’s plantation near Sopchoppy, Wakulla County, July 22, 1870, the third in a family of four children born to William and Rebecca (Allen) McRae. His father, William McRae, was born in Robertson County, North Carolina. In infancy he was brought to Walton County, Florida, by his parents, lived here until manhood and then moved to Wakulla County, where he became a man of property and political influence. He served in the State Legislature from 1871-1873, and was a prominent and useful citizen during the reconstruction period. He was intelligent and progressive in his farming methods and for a long period his plantation was one of the show places of the county. His death occurred in 1874. He married Rebecca Allen, who was born near Charleston, South Carolina, and died in Wakulla County in 1875. Her ancestral line led back to the Revolutionary patriot, Gen. Ethan Allen, commander of the Green Mountain Boys.
Early bereft of his parents and thus deprived of the well ordered home life to which, he had been accustomed, William A. McRae cannot look back to an altogether happy childhood. At the age of seven years he went to live with relatives in Walton County, but conditions were such that he had practically no educational privileges until he was old enough to secure them for himself. Prompted by ambition he completed the public school course, and in 1893, when twenty-three years old, completed his education in the State Normal School. In the meanwhile, from the age of sixteen he had been entirely selfsupporting and during this period of study and self improvement, worked in sawmills, in logging camps, at farming and bridge construction on railroad lines. At this time, however, he turned his efforts in another direction and after teaching school in Walton, Holmes and Jackson counties from 1893 until 1901, was elected superintendent of public instruction in Jackson County in the latter year.
Mr. McRae has been active in the councils of the democratic party all his mature life and has done considerable campaign work, and additionally is known all over the state as an orator, and as such has been the means of bringing knowledge to his fellow citizens concerning the great value of agricultural development and the immense desirability of a system of good roads. In 1905 he was elected clerk of the Circuit Court of Jackson County, in which office he served seven years when, following the death of Hon. B. E. McLin, commissioner of agriculture, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term, and in 1912 was elected commissioner and reelected in 1916 and 1920, without opposition. No one acquainted with the wonderful work his department has done, all under his keen, observing direction, can ever doubt the sincerity of this aggressive worker for the agricultural interests of his state. A natural lover of nature and all his life interested in growing things, Commissioner McRae seems particularly well placed in this office. From the pleasure of the bloom and utility of his own garden, he but widened his interest and activities, for he knows full well that Florida’s rich soil that is awaiting development along proper selected lines, can be made to blossom forth in useful abundance equal to its present wild luxuriance.
Mr. McRae was married at Thomasville, Georgia, on August 5, 1908, to Miss Mary V. Parker, who is a daughter of George W. and Anna (James) Parker, the latter of whom is deceased. The father of Mrs. McRae owns pecan groves and a large plantation in Thomas County, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. McRae have three sons: William Allen, Roy Parker and Ralph James, the two last named being twins. As were his parents, Mr. McRae is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which for years he has been an earnest Christian worker. At Tallahassee he has actively identified himself with Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, serving for years as superintendent of the Sunday School and as teacher of the Men’s Bible Class, but the pressure of public duties has compelled him to give up some responsibilities but his Bible class has not been willing to release him.
During the World’s war, Mr. McRae was indefatigable in his patriotic efforts. He accepted service as a 4-minute speaker in all the drives, and was a member of the Florida State and of the Leon County Defense Councils and was chairman of the latter. In fraternal life, he is past master of Harmony Lodge, F. & A. M. at Marianna. and belongs also to the Chapter there, and of St. Omar Commandery, Knights Templar at Tallahassee, and has also been active in the order of Knights of Pythias. Commissioner McRae is a man whose personality is impressive but the great work he is carrying on is not done in any spectacular manner, but with a steady and hopeful persistence that has overcome difficulties in the past and promises well for the future.
Cutler, H. G., ed. History of Florida: Past and Present, Volume III. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1923, pp. 162-163.
Burial: Oaklawn Cemetery, Jacksonville