Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
JOHN WILSON McRAE
 
            A musical director who has conferred distinction upon the town in 
which he is active, as well as upon his associates and himself, is Jack Wilson 
McRae, the proficient and enterprising leader of the popular Marysville 
Municipal Band.  He is a native son, born at Yuba City, Sutter County, on June 
16, 1889, in the family of A. A. and Anna (McCoy) McRae.  A. A. McRae first came 
to Sacramento and Pleasant Grove, and followed music as a profession.  He also 
served as county assessor for Sutter County for sixteen years. He gave 
instruction in band music at Yuba City, Knights Landing and Marysville.  His 
death occurred in 1917, when he met with a fatal accident.  Mrs. McRae is still 
living, the center of a circle of devoted friends.  A brother of our subject, A. 
R. McRae, was graduated with honors from the Boston Conservatory of Music.
            Jack Wilson McRae went first to the grammar school at Yuba City, and 
then attended the Marysville High School.  After completing his studies, he 
worked in stores in various cities in the State; but for some years past he has 
resided in Marysville.  In 1915, he had his first experience in conducting, and 
a year later he went to Quincy, Cal., and there taught a band for half a year.  
At that time he belonged to the National Guards, and he was called to the 
Mexican border for service with the bands.  On March 26, 1917, he enlisted in 
the United States Army.  After his enlistment he was in five different camps; 
and while in the service he formed eight bands.  Returning from the World War, 
Mr. McRae went to Bisbee, Ariz., to conduct what was declared the best band in 
Arizona; and then for a while he was in the theaters in San Francisco.  In 
October, 1922, he took charge of the Marysville Band.  He has always been 
successful as a band leader, being popular both with the public and with his 
colleagues.  In addition to undoubted natural talent, Mr. McRae has evinced high 
ideals in his work, endeavoring to create and encourage, on the part of the 
public, a taste for the best there is in music.
            In 1917, Mr. McRae was married, at Oroville, to Miss Hazel S. Brown, 
a native daughter of Marysville, and whose father, Joseph Brown, came to 
California in 1849.  Mr. McRae is an Elk and a Mason; and both he and his wife 
belong to the Eastern Star.  He is also a member of the Phi Delta Kappa 
fraternity.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1165-1166