William M. Jeffers
This photograph of William M. Jeffers, Union Pacific president from 1937 to 1946, hung in the canteen during its operation. A North Platte native who started with the railroad as a call boy in 1890, Jeffers progressed through the ranks of track laborer, telegrapher, train dispatcher and division superintendent to reach the UP’s executive offices. His enthusiasm for railroading resulted in such characteristic remarks as that it was a greater thrill to “become president of the Union Pacific than to be elected president of the United States.” Jeffers’ reputation for business tenacity was recognized both in and outside the railroad industry. During World War II he was widely known as “the Rubber Czar” for having coordinated the federal government’s production of rubber for the war effort.Despite his position, Jeffers never forgot his hometown. It was after canteen originator Rae Wilson visited with Jeffers in his private railroad car during a North Platte visit that he ordered the station lunchroom turned over to the volunteers. His interest in the canteen’s success continued through the war, with several personal visits to the center. Jeffers also made himself personally available for visits or phone calls from canteen officials regarding any problems or requests.
The institution he made possible was still operating when Jeffers retired from the presidency on February 1, 1946. He died in 1953. A major street in North Platte now bears his name.
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