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Donald G. Jefferys Collection, 1931-1969

By Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Nielsen.

Collection Overview

Title: Donald G. Jefferys Collection, 1931-1969

Predominant Dates: 1932-1953

ID: MSS Jefferys

Primary Creator: Jefferys, Donald G.

Extent: 0.55 cubic feet. More info below.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Donald G. Jefferys Collection consists of materials assembled by Jefferys documenting his student experience at Oregon State College; his family's turkey farm near Albany, Oregon; and his interest in national and worldwide news events. Jefferys attended Oregon State College from 1937 to 1940.

Scope and Content Notes

The Donald G. Jefferys Collection consists of materials assembled by Jefferys documenting his student experience at Oregon State College (OSC), his family's turkey farm near Albany, Oregon; and his interest in national and worldwide news events.

Materials from his OSC student years include programs for band concerts and other music events during 1938-1940. A copy of the April 2, 1938 issue of the Orange Baton and the May 5, 1939 Oregon State Barometer are included. The Orange Baton was published annually on the occassion of the Annual High School Band Contest to summarize the work of the Oregon State Band for the preceding year and provide news about graduates. A news clipping and a program documenting Edward Goman's (Jefferys' cousin) participation in the OSC band in 1942 are also included.

The bulk of the collection consists of accounting ledgers, tax records, correspondence and other business documents for Jefferys' family turkey farm, J.M.J. Turkey Farms. These date from the mid-1930s until 1950. Of special note is a handwritten journal of farming activities and notable weather events for 1942-1945.

The collection also includes issues of several newspapers with notable headlines including the death of Will Rogers in a plane crash, the Hindenburg disaster, World War II battles and developments, and the 1969 moon landing. The newspapers include the Albany Democrat Herald, Oregonian, and News of the World (London). Copies of 1933 issues of Current Events with completed quizzes and crossword puzzles were probably acquired by Jefferys during his school years in Albany, Oregon.

The collection also includes a portrait photograph of Ronald Badger as a young teen.

An addition to the Jefferys Collection (accession 2012:034) contains materials that document Jefferys' student experience at Oregon State College and the operation of the family turkey farm in Albany. Among the items reflecting the business and other general financial transactions include an account ledger, check stubs, patches, receipts, and World War II ration stamps. Most of the items related to Jefferys' student years pertain to his involvement in the ROTC Band (2 jacket patches, event programs, concert ticket stub) but also include a research paper written during middle school. Certificates awarded to Jefferys' wife, Meridee Brown, for her volunteer service to 4-H in Benton County are also part of this accession. Technical manuals for IBM punch card data entry equipment were also found in this transfer. Donald used these manuals in his work for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Donald Goman Jefferys attended Oregon State College from fall term of 1937 through fall 1940. During the 1937-1938 and 1938-1939 academic years, he was a student in the School of Music. In September 1939, he transferred to the School of Education and took courses in education and business. During his student years, he played in the ROTC band and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Society. Jefferys played French horn and was a student conductor for the band.

Jefferys was born in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1918, the son of Thomas and Winifred Goman Jefferys. His family moved to Albany, Oregon in 1929. Jefferys married Meridee Brown in 1942. After college, he worked with his family's turkey farm until 1950 and farmed until 1953. In 1953, he began a 30-year career as a clerk with the Southern Pacific Railroad. Jefferys died in 2009.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 1 photograph; 2 boxes, including 1 oversize box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The collection was donated to the Archives by Donald's son, Ross Jefferys, in 2010.

Related Materials:

Additional materials pertaining to bands at Oregon State, including the Orange Baton, are available in the Music Department Records (RG 148) and the Music Department Photograph Collection (P 137); OSU Band Photographs (P 104) and the Oregon Sttate University Bands Motion Picture Films and Videotapes (FV 104); Ted Mesang Collection (MSS Mesang); and the OSU Memorabilia Collection (MSS MC).

The Special Collections and Archives Research Center holdings include the Oregon Turkey Improvement Association Records (MSS OTIA) as well as research records pertaining to turkey production in the Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 025) and the Poultry Science Department Records (RG 182). The papers of Jeffery's father-in-law, the F. Ross Brown Papers (MSS BrownFRoss), are also held by the Center.

Preferred Citation: Donald G. Jefferys Collection (MSS Jefferys), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Jefferys, Donald G.

People, Places, and Topics

Jefferys, Donald G.
Marching bands--Oregon--Corvallis.
Natural Resources
Oregon State College--Bands.
Turkeys--Oregon--Albany.
University History

Forms of Material

Photographic prints.


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