Thomas Alexis Mack

     Thomas Alexis Mack was born in 1857 at Kentucky. He married Anne Jeanette Yoakum, daughter of George Washington Yoakum and Rebecca Ann Johnson, in 1891. Thomas Alexis Mack died in December 1928 at age 71 years.
     From Gary R. Hawpe, ed. and Alma Stone, comp., 'Death Claims Former Sheriff,' Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter, Vol. 4 No. 11 (September 2001), p. 14.

DEATH CLAIMS FORMER SHERIFF

Thomas A. Mack, For Years a Merced County Official, Is Summoned

Thomas A. Mack, former Sheriff, and one of Merced county s best known and most highly respected residents, passed away at an early hour, Wednesday morning at the home of his son, George Mack, death being due to an affection of the heart. Although Mr. Mack had been ill for several weeks, his condition was not considered serious and the news of his death came as a severe shock to his numerous friends and acquaintances.

Thomas Alexis Mack was born in Kentucky in 1857. He grew to man hood in his native State and in 1880 went to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for about three years. He then came to California and for several years was employed on the Montgomery ranch near Snelling in this county. He resided in the Snelling section for about eight years and then came to Merced. A short time after coming to Merced he was appointed Deputy Constable to serve as night watchman. A few years later he was elected Constable for this Township. Serving several terms in this office and usually being re-elected without opposition. Upon voluntarily retiring from the Constable s office he accepted employment as a Wells Fargo shotgun messenger on the stages running between Merced and Mariposa, and after the completion of the Yosemite Valley railroad he filled a similar position on the trains of that road. In 1911 he was appointed chief deputy under Sheriff S. C. Cornell, and when the latter passed away in 1914, Mr. Mack was appointed as his successor and served as Sheriff until January of last year, when he was succeeded by W. T. White. Since his retirement from the Sheriff s office he had been making his home near this city.

Surviving relatives are his widow, formerly Miss Nettie Yoakum of Merced; a daughter, Mrs. Maud Munn of Los Angeles, and two sons, George T., and William A. Mack of Merced. He was a charter member of Merced Camp No. 352, Woodmen of the World, and was also a member of Yosemite Lodge No. 30, Knights of Pyth as, and of Merced Lodge No. 1240, B.P.O. Elks.

Merced Express, Merced, California, December 21, 1928.