1960 – Arguably Florida’s most influential, and certainly its longest running Commissioner of Agriculture Nathan Mayo died on this date while in office. Mayo, having served in that capacity for 37 years became one of Florida’s most vocal proponents of Florida agricultural products. Born in North Carolina in 1876, Mayo moved to Marion County with his family when he was 10. He established a farm in Summerfield where he lived throughout his life. Mayo was elected to the state legislature in 1921 and was appointed Commissioner of Agriculture in 1923. During his tenure the responsibilities of Commissioner of Agriculture included, not only the inspection of livestock, citrus and other crops, but also the state prison system, the state highway patrol system and he was the head of the state bureau of immigration. He was a fixture in Florida politics and became known as “Mr. Florida” for his boosterism of the state.