Source: "Southeastern Pennsylvania", by J. Bennett Nolan, Supervising Editor, Vol. III, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Philadelphia, 1943, pp. 257-8.

"J. Walter Jefferis - President of the National Bank & Trust Company of Kennett Square, J. Walter Jefferis, who is widely known as a banker throughout the southeastern section of Pennsylvania, is also a distinguished citizen of his community, serving it in many capacities both public and private, as well as being an active member of the Masonic Order.

"J. Walter Jefferis was born at New Garden Township, Chester County, on December 5, 1880, a son of Thomas K. and Annie (Thomas) Jefferis.  Thomas K. Jefferis, who was born at New Garden Township, Chester County, on April 23, 1847, passed his life as a farmer, a calling in which he retained active interest until his death in March of 1923, at the age of seventy-six.  Annie (Thomas) Jefferis, who was born at New Garden Township, Chester County, on April 28, 1848, died on November 9, 1921, at the age of seventy-three.

"After attending the public schools of New Garden Township and Martin Academy at Kennett Square, J. Walter Jefferis in 1898 began his long career in banking by obtaining employment as a clerk in the National Bank of Avondale.  On the first of January in 1907, Mr. Jefferis resigned his position in Avondale and came to the Kennett Trust Company of Kennett Square, as a secretary and treasurer of the institution.  Made a member of the trust company's board of directors a little later, in 1925 he was elected its president and retained that position until the Kennett Trust Company was consolidated with the National Bank of Kennett Square.  He was elected a vice-president of the new banking institution, and retained that position from 1930, as well as being the bank's trust officer, until 1938 when he was elected to his present position of president.  All his life, Mr. Jefferis has been generous of his time and ability in the public interest, having for more than thirty years been amember of the Kennett Square School Board and serving the body as its treasurer, as well as, in addition, being the director of the Kennett Consolidated School ever since its organization.  Among other organizations in which Mr. Jefferis is concerned may be listed the Progressive Building and Loan Association of Kennett Square and the Building Association of London Grove at Avondale, organizations which he serves individually as a director.  In addition to finding recreation from his official duties and responsibilities by gardening, Mr. Jefferis is devoted to golf as a sport and belongs to the Kennett Square Golf and Country Club.  Active in Masonry for many years, Mr. Jefferis includes in his memberships of the order's bodies: New London Lodge, No. 548, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Kennett Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Brandywine Commandery, Knights Templar of West Chester, and Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia.  Mr. Jefferis, who is a member of the Republican party politically, belongs to the New Garden Friends Meeting.

"J. Walter Jefferis married, on September 30, 1908, Elizabeth B. Pusey of Avondale, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry R., and Amy (Hoopes) Pusey."