O.F. McCrary, son of Silas McCrary of See Off, makes rapid rise from mountain youth to college graduate, teacher and District Agriculture Extension Agent.
What were the dreams of Silas McCrary and mother Emma, (Emma Ball), when 41 years ago his promising boy was born? Did they dream of a man near six feet tall, strong, sturdy, and redheaded, with ability to direct the affairs of other men? Such seems to have been true. O.F. or “Mac” as the boys know him, started to school at six. His first teacher was Mr. Hardin, our present County Surveyor, in the Burnt Mountain school house. Later sent to See Off school. These schools not being high schools, the parents decided to move to Greenville where they put their children in school. In the North Greenville Academy Mac secured the necessary studies to entrance to Clemson College.
Entering Clemson in 1908, Mac worked his way and finished in 1912 with many honors to his credit. The four years were hard work and living as poor students much live, having to see many wealthier boys enjoy what he could not, but was not in vain for it developed a greater man out of the boy.
With his “sheepskin” under his arm the first job was teaching in Northwest Georgia. This he followed for three years. A better position was offered him in Louisiana, and he taught in that State one year, but the unusual graduate was induced to come back to the home State to teach, so for two years he taught Agriculture and Science at Hampton High School.
Having too much ambition and energy for a small school room, Mac decided he would try County Agent work. His application at Raleigh found favor and the new recruit was placed at Kinston in he Eastern part of the State. Mac made good, and in three years he had so impressed the Extension officials that they made him District Agent of the Central District, with headquarters in Raleigh.
About this stage of the game, Mac Says he made his worst mistake—he married Miss Unice Penny of Wake County. Then he remarked: “We have two fine children and a good home, so I guess I was not so bad after all.”
The Extension officials were asked if they had a more popular or more effective district agent, and they emphatically said “No.”
It is hoped that this honorable son of Transylvania may be induced to visit us some day and let all see the man as he is—he is another Roosevelt.
From the front page of The Brevard News, Thursday, Jan. 28, 1926.
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92074063/1926-01-28/ed-1/seq-1/
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