McCRACKIN, William

MCCRACKIN, RALSTON, SHARP, ANDERSON, CRAIL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/15/2007 at 19:30:30

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 337-338

William McCRACKIN was born April 11, 1804, in Armstrong County, Pa., and was reared in that county, his parents being of Scotch-Irish (sic) descent. He learned the hatter's trade but devoted his attention to farming, merchandising and hotel-keeping.

In 1829 Mr. McCRACKIN was married to Miss Mary RALSTON, who was also born in Armstrong, County, October 26, 1808. She was the daughter of David RALSTON and Agnes SHARP, the latter being the first white child born in that part of Pennsylvania, and it may be observed that her father, Andrew SHARP, was killed by the Indians while taking his family to Ft. Pitt for protection, and he is buried in Pittsburg.

For a quarter of a century Mr. McCRACKIN made his home in Indiana, Pa. In the autumn of 1855 he started with his family for Nebraska. Going to Pittsburg in wagons, he embarked on a steamboat with wagons, horses, etc., for St. Louis, at the latter place disembarked and proceeded north and west as far as Fairfield where, the weather becoming too cold for comfortable traveling, it was decided to stop. Every house in Fairfield was occupied, and the only way shelter could be obtained was to buy a house.

Mr. McCRACKIN died May 7, 1857, and Mrs. McCRACKIN decided to remain in Fairfield, where she lived until her death, on July 27, 1888. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCRACKIN were born ten children, eight of whom grew to mature years; Jane, wife of Dr. William ANDERSON, of Indiana, Pa.; David Ralston, who died in Fairfield, February 6, 1890; Nancy S., wife of Capt. B. F. CRAIL; Mary A.; William W. and Joseph R., both living in Butte City, Mont.; Eliza M. and Alexander.

Mrs. McCRACKIN sent all her sons to the support of the Union, in the late war, the youngest being only thirteen and one-half years old. On the first call for troops, David, who was in St. Louis, enlisted in the First Missouri Infantry, and served with that regiment for his term of enlistment, being in the battle of Wilson's Creek; he then enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered out the following year. He served as Deputy Provost Marshal for a time, and then enlisted in Company I, Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry, and was made First Lieutenant; he remained in that regiment until it was disbanded. William served with David in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and upon being discharged from that regiment he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment and after the expiration of that enlistment he served in the Navy as Master's mate on the Mississippi River, until the end of the Rebellion; Joseph, though only a boy, served in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry; Alexander enlisted in the Navy and served on the Mississippi River with Capt. William R. Wells for a year; he then entered the Naval Academy, and is now in the Navy.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.