My Genealogy Hound

Joseph C. McCracken, one of the oldest and most prominent residents of Polk County, Mo., was born in Williamson County, Tenn., August 15, 1830, being one of five surviving members of a family of thirteen children, born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Holmes) McCracken, who were born in Scotland, February 26, 1778, and North Carolina September 12, 1788, and died in Polk County, Mo., January 26, 1859, and September 6, 1870, respectively. They were married in Sumner County, Tenn., and after residing there a short time moved to Williamson County, where they made their home until 1842, when they came to Missouri, and located on the farm on which their son Joseph C. now resides. While residing in Tennessee they were neighbors to Thomas H. Benton, and he and Mr. McCracken became warm personal friends. The latter was a Whig in politics, a successful farmer, and although not a member of any church, was a true Christian gentleman. During the War of 1812 he served under Jackson, and was at Horse Shoe Bend, but was not at New Orleans. His father, John McCracken, came from Scotland to the United States about 1776, and, joining the Continental army, served faithfully throughout the Revolutionary War, participating in many battles. The mother’s father, Robert Holmes, was an Irishman by birth, and also served in the American army, and was under Gen. Gates when his army was captured. Joseph C. McCracken, whose name heads this sketch, was educated in Tennessee and Polk County, Mo., and, being the youngest of the family, remained with his parents until their deaths. He has followed in his father’s footsteps, and is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and owns some of the best farming land in Polk and Hickory Counties. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is an enthusiastic patron of education, churches and all enterprises for the public weal. During the late war he served in the Enrolled Militia and Provisional service, being a member of Company C, Sixtieth Regiment Missouri State Militia. He held the rank of corporal, and was a participant in many skirmishes. October 21, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary F. Bodine, who was born in Hickory County, Mo., September 13, 1837, her father, William Bodine, being one of the first settlers in this portion of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. McCracken are the parents of ten children: Henry C, Marcus A., Charles C., Marcellus B., Theophilus P., William T., Sherman, Lanna C., wife of John E. Kendall; Virginia F., and Martha F. Mr. McCracken’s brothers and sisters are: Ephraim, Nathaniel, Elizabeth (Ingram) and Jane (Appleby).