(Luther Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Luther, second son of Elizabeth and John Mills, was born April 28, 1874 and died November 5, 1933. He married on May 4th 1898, Edith McGarvey, daughter of David and Nancy (Woods) McGarvey. She was born March 16, 1877 and died March 19, 1963. They started their married life in Grampian where in 1900 Edith reports they have been married for two years and she has given birth to one child that died. By 1910 they have moved to Jefferson County and have two children Nellie age 9 and Georgie age 6.
In 1918 they are living in DuBois where he registered for the draft and reports he works for the B. R. & P. railroad as a cashier in the office. He was described as medium height, stout with brown eyes and dark hair. By 1920, still in Dubois they have another daughter Dorothy age 5. In 1930 they live in Clearfield.
(Jessie6, Luther Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Jessie Mills, daughter of Luther and Edith was born in April 1899 and died September 30, 1899 of Cholera. She is buried in the Friends cemetery.
(Nellie6, Luther Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Born March 5, 1901 died August 17, 1924. She married William Lobough with whom she had one daughter Jean born August 7, 1924. Cause of death is probably Puerperal Infection, which is an infection that originates in the vagina within 10 days of childbirth; further spread of the infection can lead to peritonitis or septicemia, which is often fatal.
(Georgia6, Luther Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Georgia was born August 7, 1903, and died August 29, 1989 in Virginia. She married in 1924 Vernon L. Kessler a son of William J. and Cora Kessler of DuBois. He was born in 1902. They had four children; Maxine, Edith Belle, Robert L. and William B. Kessler.
(Dorothy6, Luther Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Dorothy was born August 18, 1914 in DuBois, Pa. She married Donald M. Roseberry on March 20, 1938. He died May 22, 1974.
(Sara Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Sara was born April 19, 1876 and died April 28, 1905. She married Mr. McCutchen.
(Martha Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Martha was born April 15, 1880 died 1961 and married Ralph Craven born 1889, son of John and Rebecca Craven of Indiana County. They had one daughter Florence Craven.
(Minto Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Minto, youngest son of Elizabeth and John Mills, was born August 3, 1883 in Bower, Pa. Minto Hazlett Mills moved west shortly after he turned 20. He settled in Chicago, Illinois where he married his wife, Bertha Josephine Glimme on August 3rd 1905. She was born January 14, 1884 in Chicago, Illinois. Minto Hazlett Mills and his wife died in St. Paul Minnesota. He passed April 11th 1941 and she, February 7, 1972 in Ramsey County Minnesota. On his 1918 draft card he was working as an accountant for Guarantee Bank in Chicago. The registrar describes him as 5’ 7” medium build, blue eyes and brown hair.
Her parents, Ole and Sarah J. (Lee) Glimme were natives of Norway immigrating to this country in 1880. Ole Glimme was born in May of 1855 and died prior to 1920 when his wife Sarah is listed as a widow, at age 61, working as a practical nurse and living with the Minto Mills family in Chicago Illinois. Minto was working as a cashier in a bank and their children were Ogden and Elizabeth ages 12 and 10 respectively. Sarah Glimme was born in February of 1858 in Norway and died November 29, 1939 in Ramsey County Minnesota. By 1930 they have moved to St. Paul Minnesota and he is working as an auditor for the government. The family structure remains the same. Minto Hazlet and Elizabeth Mills were the parents of two children, Ogden Minto and Elizabeth Jane Mills.
(Ogden6, Minto Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ogden was born February 15, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois. He married Lois Marie Anderson on May 4th 1944 in Long Beach California. She was born June 16, 1918 in LaCenter, Washington. Ogden Mills died July 17th 1984 in Long Beach California. Their family was Ogden Minto Jr., Roger Eugene, and Terence Lee Mills.
(Elizabeth6, Minto Mills5, Elizabeth4, John3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elizabeth was born February 15, 1909 and died in 1995. She married Raymond E. Howard on April 27th 1935 in St. Paul Minnesota. They had two daughters Virginia and Carolynn.
(James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
James McCracken, third son of Robert and Rachel (Straw) McCracken, was born about 1810. He married Sarah Templeton, born March 9, 1819, daughter of Walter and Margaret (Hall) Templeton of Armstrong County. He was a printer by trade and worked for a time on the Clearfield Banner. He and his family moved to Iowa. He is listed in the 1850 census in Ferguson Township 2 doors from his brother Robert with whom he went to Iowa. His immediate neighbors were Mathew Bloom and George G. and Eliza Williams. His family is listed as follows: James McCracken age 40 a farmer, Sarah age 31, Rachel 9, Margaret 7, Levi 5, Walter 4, Esther 2 and John T. age 3 months.
In 1860 in Lumber City the family consists of James McCracken age 50, Sarah age 41 and the children Rachael, Margaret, Levi, Walter, Esther, John with three additions to the family, Robert 9, Bertha 7 and Sarah 2.
By 1870 the family has moved to Palo Alto, Jasper County, Iowa and is shown on the census as James age 59, Sarah 51, Levi 26, Robert 19, Bertha 16 and Sarah C. age 13 all born in Pa.(Rachel, Margaret, Walter, Esther and John are no longer at home.) James McCracken died in 1880 in Iowa and his wife Sarah died November 20, 1900 at Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail Minnesota.
(Rachel4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The first child of James and Sarah (Templeton) McCracken was born about 1841 and it has been reported that she married William Bingham but we have not been able to verify this information.
(Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Born October 1842 married her first cousin James Lewis Hall, on April 27, 1865, a son of William and Sarah M. (Lucas) Hall of Willett, Indiana County, Pa. He was born in Willett on April 2, 1839. James and Margaret Hall are found on the 1880 census twice in Jasper County Iowa. The children listed are Catherine, William, John, Rachel, Anna, Robert and Eunice on the June 29th census and Arminta, John, Anna, Robert and Emma on the June 23rd census.
On the 1900 census in Story County Iowa the children at home are Emma November 1879 and Curtis born in November 1881. Margaret reports she has given birth to ten children with eight living. James Hall died on July 12th 1915 in Ontario, Story County Iowa and Margaret died in 1926. Their children were;
(Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Catherine aka “Mintie” was born March 31, 1866 in Saltsburg, Indiana. She married, on June 27th 1885 in Des Moines, Iowa, George W. (France) Waggoner born April 25, 1846 in Pittsburg, Pa. a son of John Waggoner and Sarah McCracken. (This Sarah McCracken is the first daughter of William McCracken, younger brother of Robert.)
Catherine (Hall) Waggoner is found on the 1900 census in Colfax, Washington Township, Jasper County Iowa as a widow when she reports that she has given birth to eight children with seven still living. She lists her children as Charles L. age 12, Maud V. 10, James L 8, Alvin M. 7, Sarah M. 6, Corbett M. 4 and Hezekiah age 2 all born in Iowa. George Waggoner was a Civil War veteran and used the alias of George W. France. He died September 12, 1897 in Prairie City, Jasper County Iowa.
Catherine remarried after the death of her husband, about 1903, David Ward. David was born in 1842 in Ohio. They are found on the 1910 census in Douglas Township, Boone County Iowa with two more children Johnny age 6 and Catherine age 4 surnames Ward and six of her Wagoner children. By 1917 she was a widow again. Catherine died in 1944 in Marshalltown and is buried in the Rorabough cemetery in Colfax, Jasper County Iowa. The children of Catherine and George Waggoner are;
(Thomas Waggoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Thomas was born October 31, 1885 in Colfax, Jasper County Iowa and died young.
(Charles Wagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Charles was born August 30, 1887 in Des Moines Iowa and died December 31, 1958 in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. He married Zola May Bowman daughter of J. W. and N. A. (Marley) Bowman of Illinois. Charles and his wife had Wilma May (1920) and Inez Loraine (1921) both born in South Dakota. He was still single in 1918 when he registered for the draft and is described as tall, medium build, blue eyes and light hair. This generation dropped the double “gg” in the spelling of their name as seen on all their signatures.
(Maud Wagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Maud was born February 25, 1891 in Colfax and died December 3, 1961 in Lamont, Dupage County, Illinois.
(JamesWagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
James was born September 25, 1891 in Newton Iowa and was living and working in Ames, Story County when he registered for the draft in 1917 and claims his mother and sister as dependants. He spent two years at the soldiers orphan home. He was described as tall, medium build, gray eyes and light hair.
(Alvin Wagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Alvin was born December 22, 1892 in Colfax, Jasper County Iowa and was living and working in McHenry County N. D. when he registered for the draft in 1917. His physical description is; medium height and build with blue eyes and light red hair. He died March 24, 1964 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
(Sarah Wagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Sarah was born April 10, 1894 and died April 15, 1964 in Des Moines, Iowa.
(Corbett Wagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Corbett was born July 22, 1895 in Colfax and was working as a postal clerk in Ames, Story County Iowa when he registered in 1917. He was a medium height and built man with gray eyes and sandy hair. He died August 15, 1970 in Des Moines, Iowa.
George Hezekiah Wagoner
(George Wagoner6, Catherine Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
George was born July 27, 1897 in Colfax, Iowa and lived in Perry Iowa in 1918 and worked for the Chicago Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He was tall, medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. He gives Julia Wagoner as his next of kin. He died April 7, 1962 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. They are all buried in the family plot in the Rorabough cemetery in Colfax, Jasper County, Iowa.
(William Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
William, the second child of Margaret and James Hall, was born August 4, 1867 and died in 1942 in Saltsburg, Indiana. He married Mary Ellen Morgan on January 5, 1893 in Ames, Iowa. She was born 1872 a daughter of John Morgan and Jane McVicker. William and Mary Ellen Hall were found in 1900 in Des Moines Iowa, 1905 in Crawford County Kansas, Sanborn County S. D. in 1910, Lyon County Minnesota in 1920, Boone County Iowa in 1925 and Story County Iowa in 1930. They had the following children; Orville, William and Ethel born in Iowa, Dorothy born in Kansas and Naomi born in Iowa.
James Orville Hall
(James6, William Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
James was born April 18, 1894 in Ames, Story County Iowa and married in 1916 Miss Vira ____. In 1917 they lived in Cottonwood, Lyon County Minnesota where his wife was born. He was working as a farmer and had one child which he claimed exemption from the draft for their support. He was tall, slim, blue eyes and light hair. They then moved to Berkeley California where they are found on the 1930 census with four children; Russell W., Thelma, Lloyd and Kenneth.
William Dewey Hall
(William6, William Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
William aka “Dewey” was born June 26, 1898 in Iowa and registered for the draft from Lyon County Minnesota in 1918. He was working as farm labor for his father and is described as tall. Slender, blue eyes and light hair. He married about 1919 Marjorie ____ and continued to live at home. In 1920 they had daughter, Helen. By 1930 they are living in Berkeley California and have a son Dale W. age 3 born in California. William died in Contra Costa California on January 13, 1978.
Ethel Hall
(Ethel6, William Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ethel was born in 1902 in Story County Iowa.
Dorothy Hall
(Dorothy6, William Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Dorothy was born in 1905 in Crawford County Kansas.
Naomi Hall
(Naomi6, William Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Naomi was born about February 1909 in Sanborn County South Dakota.
(John Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
John was born January 27, 1870 in South Dakota and he died in 1941. He married Ellen Rogers and their children were Bertha and James Hall.
(Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Sarah was born September 22, 1871 in Newton, Jasper County, Iowa and died October 16, 1928 in Boone County, Iowa. She married Charles Clark on March 28, 1888 in Day County, South Dakota a son of Alexander Clark and Martha Katzaback. They had four children.
(Martha Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Martha, first child of Sarah and Charles Clark, was born August 11, 1890 in Boone County, Iowa. She married Andrew Pestotnic, a man 38 years her senior, a son of Martin Pestotnic and Mary Pryer. Andrew and Martha had three children Mildred, Maxine and Charles Pestotnic.
(Charles Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Charles, first son of Sarah and Charles Clark, was born May of 1892 and died in 1918.
(James Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
James, second son, was born in September of 1893 and died January 1942. He married Lottie Baroness born 1892 and had Donna May and Gerald Clark.
(John Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
John was born on June 12, 1896 and married Agnes Carpenter on October 11, 1922. She was born 1906 a daughter of Abram Carpenter and Martha Stanly. John William died November 21, 1945 in Provo, Utah. Their children are;
Sarah Ellen Clark born August 29, 1923 in Boone County, Iowa and died November 22, 1989 in Ogden, Webster County, Utah. She married Richard Rose Their children were Patricia Carol, Kay Frances and Richard Edgar Rose.
Jack Edward Clark was born October 24, 1924 in Boone County, Iowa and died September 15, 1972 in Provo, Utah. He married Gloria Chatwick.
Vernon Abraham Clark born October 29, 1930 in Boone County, Iowa and died January 27, 1988 in Lindon Utah. He married a Miss Bagley. Another son married a Miss Hoover.
(Gale Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Gale, son of Charles and Sarah Clark, was born July 8, 1899 in Boone County, Iowa and died March 28, 1902.
Frank Clark
(Frank Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Frank was born January 2, 1900 in Boone County, Iowa and died September 1901.
(Margaret Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Margaret was born March 28, 1901 and married Richard Leroy Williston. She died in Chicago, Cook County Illinois in October 1973.
(Clarence Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Clarence was born April 2, 1903 in Boone County, Iowa and died April 5, 1903.
(Virginia Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Virginia was born in Iowa and married Paul K. Crouse a son of John Crouse and Ella Fisher. They have one son Robert L. Crouse.
(Olive Clark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Olive was born July 27, 1909 and died in July of 1984. She married Elster Porter.
(HelenClark6, Sarah Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Helen married Fritz Schultz.
(Anna Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Anna, fifth child of Margaret and James Hall, was born October 24, 1872 in Story County, Iowa and married October 26, 1887 in South Dakota, William Clapp. He was born March 5, 1863 in Ohio and died December 30, 1951 in Story County Iowa. Annie died January 1, 1938. They lived for a time in South Dakota later moving to Minnesota and finally back to Story County, Iowa where they lived out their days. Their children were: Elroy (December 11, 1888), George (January 25, 1890), Ethyl (June 8, 1891), Ida (August 4, 1892), Leroy (July 11, 1894), Howard (March 2, 1898), Alma (December 21, 1899), Margaret (January 9, 1902), Elma (March 23, 1904), Ray (March 14, 1906), Ortho (1909), Goldie ( March 3, 1910), Everett (March 15, 1912) and Ruth (1918).
(Robert Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Robert, third son of Margaret and James Hall was born April 10, 1874 in Story County, Iowa and is listed on the 1900 census as single age 26 and a farm hand in Boone County, Iowa. On the 1910 census he is living in Story County with his parents James age 70 and Margaret age 67, himself age 36 and widowed and his son Raymond age 7 born in Iowa. Also in the home is Margaret McCracken a 79-year-old widow, an Aunt of James L. Hall.
On the 1920 census Robert Hall is still in Washington Township, Story County and is working on a steam railroad. He is 45 and a widower, his son Raymond is 16 and single, Robert’s mother Margaret is shown as 77 and a widow, his sister Emma age 40 and single and a nephew Ray Clapp age 25 and single. On the 1925 Iowa State census on taken on January 1, 1925 in Story County, Iowa he is age 51 and single, his sister Emma is 45 and single and his mother Margaret is 82 and a widow. It has been reported that his wife’s name was Gertrude however we have not been able to document that. He died in 1952.
(Hulda Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Was born September 30, 1875 in Story County, Iowa and died before 1910.
(Thomas Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Born March 3, 1877 in Story County, Iowa and died before 1910.
(Emma Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Born October 31, 1879 in Story County, Iowa died in 1939.
(Curtis Hall5, Margaret4, James3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Curtis, youngest son of Margaret and James Hall, was born October 28, 1881 in Story County, Iowa. On the 1900 census he is found living with his parents in Washington Township, Story County, Iowa he is 18 years old. His father James L. Hall is 61 and his mother Margaret is 57 and his sister Emma age 20 also lives at home.
On the 1910 census he is still in the same place at age 28 and has been married for four years to Estella R Davis. He reports that this is his first marriage but he has 2 step-sons living with him. They are 11-year-old Walter R. Woodroof (this is probably a corruption of Woodruff) and Charles A. Woodroof age 9. Estella reports that she has had no children yet in 1910 so these are probably the children of Jesse Woodruff. (See Harry Woodruff below.)
The Iowa State census taken on January 1, 1925 lists the family as Levi C. Hall age 44 born in Iowa father James L. Hall and mother as Margaret McCracken. Estella is 43 also born in Iowa her father’s name is Lewis Davis and her mother’s name is Ella Peel. In the 1910 census she reports her father was born in Spain and her mother in England. They have one daughter living with them Bernice Hall age 15.
The two children Charles A. Woodruff age 19 and Bernice Hall age 10 are found in 1920 living in the household of Andrew J. and Ella Jennings and are named as grandchildren. Andrew Jennings must be Ella Peel’s second husband. Curtis Levi Hall is reported as having died in North Carolina.
We have found Jesse Woodruff in 1900 in Des Moines, Iowa married to Harry Woodruff for five years with one child Walter age 1 and one child that had died. If the census facts are correct then she was married at the age of 13 to a 24-year-old man. If she did marry Curtis Hall it would have been between 1903 and 1905. He was married in 1906 to Estella and Jesse’s children remained with him and his new wife, which presupposes that their parents had both died.
(David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
David, fourth son of Robert, was born February 1, 1812 and died August 6, 1891. He married on March 12, 1843, Elizabeth Hazlet, his brother John Nicholas, is now his brother-in-law as the husband of Elizabeth’s sister Margaret. They are daughters of William Hazlet and Elizabeth Wilson. Elizabeth Hazlet was born September 2, 1817 and died four months prior to her husband on April 11, 1891.
In the 1850 census he lives in Bell Township at age 38 with wife Elizabeth 32, Catherine 5, Lucretia J. 3, Robert C. 1. Their first child William born in 1843 has passed on already.
On the 1860 census of Bower, Bell Township, he is shown as age 48 and a farmer. His household consists of his wife Elizabeth 43, Catherine 15, Lucretia 13, Robert 11, Margaret 9, Grier 6, Leonard 4 and Rachina 2. On the 1870 census the children at home are Robert 21, retail merchant, Elmira 19, David G. 15, John L. 13, Elizabeth 11 and Wesley P. 9. John Hazlet a farmer lives in the home.
By 1880 on the census for Greenwood Township the household was made up of David age 68, Elizabeth 62, D. G. 25, John L. 24, China E. 23, Wesley P. 20, grandchildren David T. Byers 10, Lucretia J. 8 and servant Sarah Lutz 26. Their surviving children are:
(Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Catherine, the first daughter of David and Elizabeth McCracken was born July 18, 1844 in Bell Township. She married about 1866, William Orr son of John and Anna Orr of Jordan Township. William Orr was born in February of 1838 and died prior to 1910. They moved to Chesterfield County, Virginia between 1881 and 1883.
They are found on the 1870 census in Bell Township. He is 29 and a farmer and she is 25 years old. Their children are Elizabeth age 3 and John Thomas age 1. In 1880 they are still in Bell Township and have four more children David C 9, William N. 7, Jane 4 and China 2 years old.
On the 1900 census they are in Chesterfield County Virginia and have been married for thirty-four years and have 9 children. The two youngest are daughters born in Virginia are, Nellie V. age 16 born February 1884 and Beulah D. age 10 born November 1889.
On the 1910 census in Chesterfield County, Virginia Catherine Orr is spelled Katherine she is a widow living with her son Thomas who is 41 and her daughter and son-in-law, Beulah and Ernest Rudy. On the 1920 Catherine Orr is 74 and still living with her son Thomas Orr a single man age 50.
Elizabeth Orr
(Elizabeth5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elizabeth was born about 1867 in Bell Township, Clearfield County Pennsylvania.
John Thomas Orr
(John5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
John Thomas Orr, first son of Catherine and William Orr was born in March 1869 in Bell Township Clearfield County and moved with his parents to Motoaca, Chesterfield County Virginia in the mid 1880’s. He took the responsibility of head of household after his father’s death about 1915. He never married.
David C. Orr
(David5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
David C. Orr, second son of Catherine was born in Clearfield County about 1871.
William N. Orr
(William5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
William N. Orr, third son of Catherine and William was born in April 1873 in Clearfield County William married about 1900, Susan born June 12, 1878 in New York and lived briefly in Stony Creek, Nash County North Carolina with two of his brothers James and David. By 1910 he moved back to Petersburg Virginia and in 1930 in Chase, Mecklenburg County Virginia. Their children all born in Virginia were Elizabeth (1904), Carl W. (1906), Elmer H. (1910) Sue Catherine (1912), Melvin G. ( 1915), Margaret (1917), Henry (1919), Paul (1922) and daughter Marion (1925). Susan died in March 1976 in Mecklenburg Virginia.
Jane Orr
(Jane5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Jane was born about 1876 in Pennsylvania.
China Orr
(China5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
China aka “Fannie C.” was born in June 1878 and married in 1904, John Rudy born November 1, 1875 in Chester County Virginia, brother of her sister Beulah’s husband, Henry Ernest Rudy. John was a tall stout man with hazel eyes and black hair. China and John Rudy had one son John Wesley Rudy born about 1908 in Virginia and four daughters Catherine (1909), Virginia (1913), Marion (1915) and Blanch (1917). China died before 1920 and the youngest was taken to be raised by her Aunt Beulah and Uncle Ernest Orr.
James Orr
(James5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
James was born in April 1881, in Pennsylvania.
Nellie V. Orr
(Nellie5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Nellie was born February 1884 in Virginia.
Beulah D. Orr
(Beulah5, Catherine4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Beulah, the youngest child of William and Catherine Orr, was born in November 1889 in Virginia and married about 1910, Henry Ernest Rudy born October 23, 1887. He was medium height and build with gray eyes and black hair. Their household on the 1930 census in Chesterfield County, Virginia consisted of Henry age 42 born in Virginia, a retail merchant in the grocery business, his wife Beulah D. age 41, a son Henry E. Jr. age 19, Alice I. age 15, Lorene B. age 8, Parle L. age 5 and a niece Blanch M. Orr age 13 and Henry Jr’s wife Katie L. age 18 born in North Carolina. Their child is Doris Rudy age 1 month. The age of marriage for Henry Jr. and his wife is given as 15 for him and 14 for her. Beulah’s brother, Thomas J. Orr age 61 and single, also lives in the home.
(Lucretia4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The second daughter of David and Elizabeth McCracken was born January 7, 1846 in Bell Township, Clearfield County and died January 7, 1872. She married James Weaver Byers on October 22, 1868. He was born in Burnside Township October 12, 1840 the son of John William and Sarah Byers After the death of his wife James W. Byers married Tallie Kaufman with whom he had two children. His third wife was Elizabeth Kunsman who he married in 1880. Lucretia and James Byers had two children before her untimely death at the age of twenty-five.
David Thomas Byers
(David5, Lucretia4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
David was born January 28, 1870 in Bell Township He is the only surviving child of Lucretia McCracken Byers.
Elizabeth Jane Byers
(Elizabeth5, Lucretia4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elizabeth was born about 1872. She is called Lucretia on the 1880 census where she and her brother are living with their grandparents, David and Elizabeth McCracken, in Greenwood Township.
Byers Family
John Byers, the father of the Byers family in Clearfield was born at Valley Forge, Schuylkill County Pa. on July 2, 1768 the son of Benjamin Byers and Margaret Elizabeth Gerhard who came to America from Newfoundland. John Byers was just a boy when General George Washington’s army was camped there in 1776. He was married to Mary Colgan in 1792 and had a family of ten children He died near Cherry Tree, Pa. on June 12, 1861.
John William Byers, the son of John and Margaret, was born May 31, 1798 and came to Clearfield County via Warrior’s Mark in Huntingdon County in 1821 accompanied by his brother Benjamin Byers. John William Byers married Sarah Weaver on January 3, 1828 in Clearfield. She was born in Clearfield on January 3, 1811 the daughter of John Weaver and Ruth Zimmerman. Together they established the Byers homestead in Burnside Township where James Weaver Byers and Samuel Weaver Byers were born, both having McCracken connections.
Two daughters of Samuel Weaver Byers and Sarah Jane Lloyd were married to McCracken men. They are Sarah Elizabeth Byers born June 29, 1871 married Joseph Nicholas McCracken a son of David Wilson McCracken. Her sister Barbara Ellen Byers born October 27, 1867 married as her 2nd husband John Leonard McCracken a brother of Lucritia McCracken named above.
(Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Robert was the first son of David and Elizabeth McCracken. He was born February 14, 1849 in Clearfield County, Pa. and married June 23, 1872 Sarah Ann Brickell who was born October 20, 1848. In the public records he goes by the name Robert while still at home and Clinton after his marriage. He is found in the 1900 census and his household is listed as Clinton born February 1849 age 51 married 29 years. His wife is Sarah born October 1848 age 51 with these children: Alma, November 1872; Hazlet, December 1878; Samuel, May 1883 and Josephine, May 1886.
In 1910 Sarah is the mother of 7 children with only 4 living and she says her father was born in New York. Only two children are still at home Hazey age 31 and Samuel age 27, both still single. And on the 1920 census records for Clearfield County he is shown as Clinton R. McCrackin age 70 and Sarah age 71. They live next door to their daughter Alma and Benjamin Hepfer and their children. In 1930 Sarah A. McCracken is a widow and lives with the Hepfer family at age 81.
Alma T. McCracken
(Alma5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Alma aka “Dollie” first child of Robert was born November 23, 1872 and married Benjamin Franklin Hepfer son of David L. and Eliza (Bishop) Hepfer of Penn Township. He was born August 25, 1875 and died November 12, 1957. Their children were: Elmira (April 14, 1905 – November 1939), Lillian E. (1908 - November 5, 1928), Josephine K. (April 16, 1910), Ernest Clinton (March 17, 1915) and Hazel Laura (April 30, 1912 – July 1975 who married on July 2, 1946 Sheldon Shaffer Rowles who was born March 11, 1909 and died January 25, 1999. They had 5 children.)
Mary Elizabeth McCracken
(Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Mary, second daughter of Robert Clinton McCracken, was born November 29, 1874 and married Fred B. Johnson a son of William and Eliza Johnson. He was born February 26, 1870. Their children were:
Max F. Johnson
(Max Johnson6, Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Max Johnson was born September 1894 and married Dora. The children are Max F. Johnson Jr. 1917; Mary K. 1918, Robert C. Leon 1920 enlisted in the US Navy in 1945, Gail 1921 - 1922, William C. 1922, Ruth 1924 and Martha 1926.
Hazel L. Johnson
(Hazel Johnson6, Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Hazel was born September 1896. She first married Enloe Bell and secondly Ellsworth Milton. Her children were: Marie Bell 1919, Vincent Milton 1925 and Esther Louise Milton 1926.
Virginia G. Johnson
(Virginia Johnson6, Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Virginia was born in May of 1899 and married Roy P. Curley and had the following children: Betty Jane 1922, Roy Paul 1927 and Ray Preston Curley 1928.
Evelyn M. Johnson
(Evelyn Johnson6, Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Evelyn was born in September 1901. She married James P. Dickey and had Grace 1922, Vance 1924 and Marjorie Dickey in 1925.
Adda Luella Johnson
(Adda Johnson6, Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Adda was born September 1903 married Willard Cook Bell. They had Philip B. Bell in 1924.
Samuel Johnson
(Samuel Johnson6, Mary5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Samuel was born September 1905.
Olive China McCracken
(Olive5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
V. P. McCracken
(V. P.5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Olive and V. P. McCracken were twins of Clinton McCracken born October 9, 1876 both died May 31, 1880.
Ambrose Haslett McCracken
(Ambrose5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ambrose aka”Haslett or Hazey” was born December 2, 1878 and never married. In 1918 he was living in Rossiter, Indiana County and a foreman on the N.C.R.R. and was described as medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair and gives his mother as next of kin. In 1942 he was living with his sister Mrs. Ben Hepfer He died November 6, 1957 and is buried in the Lumber City cemetery.
Ernest B. McCracken
(Ernest5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ernest was born November 27, 1880 and died before 1900.
Samuel Baird McCracken
(Samuel5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Samuel Baird McCracken, son of C. R. McCracken, on his WW I draft registration card, Reports he was born March 17, 1883 and is working in the clay mines in 1918 and gives C. R. McCracken as his next of kin. He is medium height and build with gray eyes and black hair. He was living with his parents in Lumber City. The last known record of him was in 1920 in Lumber City living with his parents.
Josephine D. McCracken
(Josephine5, Robert4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Josephine was born May 7, 1886 and died on September 5, 1908.
(Margaret4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Third daughter of David and Elizabeth McCracken was born October 20, 1850 and died November 26, 1876. Originally she was buried in Ferguson Cemetery and was later moved to Lumber City Cemetery to accommodate the Curwensville Dam Project.
(Harriett4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Fourth daughter of David and Elizabeth McCracken was born December 25, 1852 and died January 8, 1858.
(David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
David Grier McCracken the second son of David McCracken and Elizabeth Hazlet was born July 23, 1854 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He married Harriett E. aka “Hattie” Kauffman on November 7, 1880 a daughter of George W. and Mary Ann (Orr) Kauffman of Mahaffey. She was born March 13, 1866. David, also known as Grier, was a carpenter by trade.
David G. McCracken is found on the 1870 and 1880 census living in Bower with his parents. On the 1900 census he and his family live in Mahaffey and have been married for 19 years and Hattie reports that 6 of her 7 children are still alive. They are George D. born in June of 1881, Zella M. born in March 1883, Jesse born October 1884, Elizabeth J. born Nov. 1888, an infant son born September 11, 1890 and died September 18, 1890, Hattie L. born November 1891 and Lottie R. born October 1893.
On the 1930 census Harriett M. McCracken is a widow at age 74 still living in Mahaffey with her single daughter Lottie R. McCracken and a 9-year-old granddaughter Cleo R. McCracken. David Grier McCracken died June 28, 1912 and Hattie passed on May 25, 1939.
George D. McCracken
(George5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
George, the first child of David and Hattie McCracken was born June 25, 1881 in Mahaffey, Pa. He married Nellie May Millard daughter of Truman H. and Ella (Ohl) Millard of Mahaffey coming here from Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa as a miner. The George McCracken family is listed on the 1920 census as: George 38, Nellie 39, Helen A. 14, Percy M. 13 and Ruth M. 11. A few doors away are his widowed mother Hattie E. McCracken age 63 and her daughter Lottie R. 26 and single. They moved to Williamsport about 1926 where he took a job with the Armour Leather Co. He registered for the WW II draft from Williamsport, Lycoming County, he was 61. He died at his home, 1040 Dewey Ave. on September 30, 1943. And his wife died at the hospital at Milton where she was living with her daughter Mrs. Ruth Phillips. They were both returned to be buried at the Mahaffey cemetery.
Helen A. McCracken
(Helen6, George5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Helen aka “Ellen” was born July 20, 1905. She married George Latshaw born June 5th 1902 in Franklin County to John G. Latshaw and Elizabeth A. “Nettie” Bowman. He died in Franklin County, Pa in December of 1974 and she died in March of 1982.
Percy M. McCracken
(Percy6, George5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Percy was born November 7, 1906 and died in Hyattsville, Maryland in September of 1982. He lived mostly in Mahaffey and for a time in Washington D. C. He was a printer and the editor of the Mahaffey Miget.
Ruth M. McCracken
(Ruth6, George5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ruth was born February 19, 1909 and married Mr. Phillips and lived in Milton Pa.
Zella Maud McCracken
(Zella5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Zella aka “Maud” was born March 4, 1883 and died September 7, 1945 in Los Angeles.
Jesse Edwin McCracken
(Jesse5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Jesse was born October 23, 1884 and married Edith Ross, daughter of Milton and Margery Ross of Mahaffey, on April 29, 1906 and is found on the 1910 census in Mahaffey age 25 married 3 years, His wife Edith E. is 20 with only one of two children still living. Their son Leslie Edwin is 1 year 5 months. When Jesse registered for the WW I draft in 1917 he gave Claremont McCracken of Pittsburg as his next of kin and his WW II draft registration Erma McCracken of Washington D. C. was his next of kin. Jesse E McCracken was divorced in 1915 and remarried on January 24, 1919 to Erma Tooke daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Tooke of Mahaffey.
On the 1920 census Jesse E. McCracken is living in Mahaffey, Bell Township at age 35 with his 2nd wife Erma T. age 19 and their daughter Ethel L. age 2 months. By 1930 they have had twins Jesse and Jessie age 6 and Mary L. age 2. Jesse and his first wife Edith had two children; Alfred Raymond born May 6, 1907 and died September 21, 1907 and Claremont Leslie Edwin McCracken born October 19, 1908 and lived in Pittsburg. With his 2nd wife, Erma Tooke, Jesse E. McCracken had five children; Ethel (October 6, 1919), Clifford A. (February 28, 1921), twins Jesse and Jessie (July 8, 1923) and Mary Louise McCracken (May 5, 1927).
Elizabeth Jane McCracken
(Elizabeth5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elizabeth, born November 5, 1888, married John E. Butler, a book keeper born June 26, 1886 to George and Martha Jane Butler of Cooper Township. Their children are: Chelsea (1914), Marion J. (1917), John E. Jr. (1925) and Robert A. (1926).
Hattie Lucretia McCracken
(Hattie5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Hattie, daughter of David Grier McCracken, was born November 19, 1893 she married William G. Riddle born in New Washington, Clearfield County November 8, 1888 to Filmore and Orlena Riddle. Hattie died March 24, 1924 leaving two children. After the death of his wife William Riddle went to Ebensburg in Cambria County where he moved in with his widowed sister Sara Francis. Their children were Ruth, Roy and Madeline.
Lottie Rebecca McCracken
(Lottie5, David4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Lottie was born October 30, 1895. She was still single and living at home in 1930 with a child Cleo R. McCracken.
(John4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
John Leonard McCracken, third son of David and Elizabeth McCracken was born 1856 in Clearfield, Pa. He married at the age of 45, on April 23, 1901, Barbara Ellen (Byers) Black. She was born October 27, 1867 near Westover, Clearfield County, Pa. (see Byers family above.)
When they met she was living with her brother in Burnside Township and he was still living at home where the Byers children of his deceased sister also lived. They were 1st cousins to Barbara Ellen and niece and nephew to him. John and Barbara Ellen had one son. There is one curious item in the census records for this family in that, in the 1910 census their son is named David and in the 1920 census he is named Samuel B.
Samuel Byers McCracken
(Samuel5, John4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Samuel or David was born May 4, 1902.
(Rachina4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The 9th child of David and Elizabeth McCracken was born in 1858. She is named Elizabeth on the 1870 census. She married George E. Gilnet. They had one daughter.
(Wesley4, David3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Wesley P. McCracken was born about 1860 is found on the 1900 census working for and boarding at the Atchison W. Byers farm in Burnside Township at age 37. On the 1910 census at age 48 he is living next door to his brother John Leonard and Barbara McCracken in Mahaffey. He is single and working at the tannery. No further records of Wesley P. McCracken have been found after 1910.
(Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Cornelius Dale the fifth son of Robert and Rachel (Straw) McCracken was born June 20, 1815. Some McCracken family researchers have him being born in Bellefonte in Centre County but no records have been found to support that claim. He married Angelina Strayley daughter of Isaac (1813) and Elizabeth (1815) Strayley (the name is found spelled Straley and Strayley). She was born about 1843 in Gregg Township, Centre County and came to Clearfield sometime after 1850 with her parents and sisters (Louisa, Mary and Julia) where they took up residence in Ferguson Township near New Millport or “Millport” as it was called then.
On the 1850 census Cornelius McCracken and his sister Catherine were living in Ferguson Township and by 1860 he was married to Angelina and living next door to her parents Isaac and Elizabeth Strayley. In 1868 the Cornelius McCracken family is in Illinois where their third child was born. By 1870 Cornelius and Angelina and three children, Elmer E., Robert and Lizzie were living in Butler Center, Bennezette Township, Butler County Iowa as were Angelina’s parents and their two youngest children John and Catherine Strayley and his brother Robert McCracken and his family.
By 1874, Cornelius and Angelina and her parents had moved to Vernon County, Wisconsin where Angelina had another child Lula. Cornelius is reported as dying in Wisconsin on September 6, 1886. Cornelius and Angelina McCracken had five children:
(Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elmer was born February 26, 1862 in Millport, Pa. and died in Vernon County, Wisconsin on March 31, 1936. He moved west with his family and married Ida Belle Boldon, daughter of Samuel L. Boldon and Elizabeth Sanders, natives of Indiana. She was born April 13, 1869 in Windfall, Tipton County, Indiana. He is found at home with his parents in Butler County Iowa on the 1870 census and in Vernon County Wisconsin on the 1880 census. They married in 1887 and are found on the Wisconsin State census in 1905 at Big Bend Rusk County with seven children. In 1920 they are in Sheldon Monroe County with four children at home; Robert, Hazel, Fay and Roy and Ida’s father Samuel Boldon. By 1930 still in Monroe County they are empty nesters. Their children were:
Lynn E. McCracken
(Lynn5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Lynn was the first son of Elmer E. and Ida McCracken and was born July 27, 1887 in Forest Township Vernon County Wisconsin. On his WW I draft registration he gives his name as Lynn Elmer. In 1917 he was living in Mt. Tabor Wisconsin with a wife and two children. He was described as short, medium build, brown eyes and hair. He reports that he works for the Hillsboro Condensed Milk Company. He married Bertha Kenny.
On the 1942 draft card he gives his name as Lynn Elsworth and was living in Big Bend, Shasta County California and gives no contact person. He died on April 26, 1967 in Creswell, Lane County Oregon.
Their children were Helen (1914), Elva (1917), Beulah Fern (1921 – 2008), Laura (1922), Ruby (1925), Chester Mack (1927) who married Cora Spears born February 4, 1908 in Wisconsin and died in February 1971 Eugene Oregon.
Bessie Belle McCracken
(Bessie5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Bessie was born September 20, 1889 in Ontario, Vernon County, Wisconsin. She is named Jessie on the 1905 census. She married William Henry Brown born March 11, 1888 son of William and Minnie Brown. He died in September of 1969 at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She died January 13, 1981 in Ladysmith, Rusk County Wisconsin. They had five children Ethel B., Edith L., Charles DeWitt who was born August 21, 1914 and died in 1994 in Hennepin, Wisconsin, Richard E., and William F. Bessie and her husband were living in separate households in 1930.
Rosa May McCracken
(Rosa5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Rosa was born May 9, 1892 and married Earl John Titus on October 3, 1913. Rosa died September 30, 1993 in Oregon. They had at least six children; Ruth L. (1916), Hazel E.(1917), Robert H. (1924), Donald E. (1925), Stanley B. (1927 – 1990) and Archie L. (1930). The first two and the last child were born in Oregon and the other three in Wisconsin.
Lottie McCracken
(Lottie5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Lottie was born August 25, 1895 and married Ed William Parrish born May 17, 1890 son of William and Mary E. Parish, natives of Indiana. Ed died in December of 1971 in Monroe County, Wisconsin. Lottie died March 1, 1988. They had at least six children all born in Wisconsin; Edna, Lucile, Milne, Vida, Quentin and James H.
Robert William McCracken
(Robert5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Robert, the second son of Elmer and Ida McCracken, was born June 17, 1898 in Vernon County Wisconsin and died October 16, 1983 in Kendall, Monroe County Wisconsin. He is named William R. on the 1905 census. He married about 1929 or 1930, Freda Parrish born October 20, 1914 in Wisconsin a daughter of Jasper and Susie Parrish. She was just 16 in 1930 and he was 31. She died January 20, 2002 in Kendall Wisconsin. Their children are; Beverly, Charles, Daniel, Donald, Jerry, Joseph, Lyle, Robert, Shirley and Harold (1938 – 1938).
Hazel E. McCracken
(Hazel5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Hazel was born about 1901 and married Emit Emory Parrish. He was also a child of Jasper and Susie, born December 10, 1898 in Vernon County Wisconsin. He reported working for his father, Jasper Parish, in 1918. Emit Parrish died in March 1981 In Juneau County Wisconsin. Emit and Hazel had at least four children; Thereon, Derwood, Vincent and Lorenzo.
Faye E. McCracken
(Faye5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Faye was born June 2, 1906 and died February 11, 1988 in Rusk County Wisconsin. He married on November 10, 1928, Esther O’Gara born July 25, 1910 and died in June 1983. They had at least four children; Patricia L. born in 1929, Elizabeth, Gene and Barbara.
Leroy Floyd McCracken
(Leroy5, Elmer4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Leroy was born in June 9, 1908 in Bruce Wisconsin and served in the US Army in Korea from 1948 to 1956. He was first married to Shirley Loertcher with whom he had three children; Tracy, Wayne William and Frye Kay. His second wife was Connie Umino born March 25, 1930 and died May 30, 1996. They had one daughter Audrey. Leroy died June 9, 1978 in Creswell, Lane County Oregon and is buried in the Rosebud National cemetery in Rosebud Oregon.
(Robert4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The second son of Cornelius and Angelina McCracken was born March 6, 1864 while his parents still lived in Pennsylvania. His folks were in Illinois in 1868 when his sister Lizzie was born and in Iowa in 1870 when he was 7 and in Wisconsin when he was a lad of 10. He lived with his sister Lizzie Boldon and her family in 1900 in Forest, Vernon County Wisconsin. He married in 1905, a lady by the name of Antoinetta aka “Nettie” born about 1879 who died in 1930. Robert was killed on July 4th 1938 when he was struck by a car. They had two sons; Samuel born May 22, 1909 in Big Bend, Rusk County Wisconsin and died in December of 1980 in New Auburn, Wisconsin and Vern born June 14, 1910 and died in April of 1987 in Barron County, Wisconsin.
(Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elizabeth aka “Lizzie” is the oldest daughter of Cornelius D. and Angelina McCracken was born February 6, 1868 in White House, Greene County, Illinois and died March 10, 1940 in Canton, Ohio. She married Alpheus A. Boldon on January 27, 1883 in Vernon County, Wisconsin, son of John L. Boldon and Nancy Murphy. He was born December 6, 1861 in Tipton, Indiana and died December 20, 1931 in Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wisconsin. They had thirteen children.
Boldon Family
Samuel T. Baldwin the father of the Boldon family was probably born about 1795 in Pennsylvania the son of Thomas Baldwin. He served in the military Jan 8, 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans. He married June 28, 1818 in Nelson County, Kentucky Margaret “Peggy” Love. They were the parents of the two children we are interested in this sketch.
Samuel L. Boldon the father of Ida Belle Boldon the wife of Elmer Elsworth McCracken and John Love Boldon the father of Alpheus Boldon the husband of Elizabeth McCracken who is also the sister of Elmer E. McCracken making them natural siblings as well as in-laws.
From Memoirs of Vernon County, Wisconsin by Newton M Baldwin
”Samuel T Baldwin removed with his family from Kentucky to Indiana in early day, and in 1856 he became one of the pioneers of Vernon County, Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his life. His son John L, father of the subject of this review, came to this county (Vernon County, Wisconsin) in 1859 and settled in the town of Forest, where he developed a good farm; he was the owner of eighty acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife long survived him and her death occurred June 11, 1899. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities and both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. Of their fifteen children seven are still living.”
Samuel L. Boldon (father-in-law of Elmer E. McCracken) was born September 28, 1832 in Owen County, Indiana. He was married first to Elizabeth Sanders on January 27, 1855 in Tipton Indiana. To this union there were 6 children Ida Belle being the fifth child born April 13, 1869. Samuel L. Boldon served in the civil war from Indiana for four years and five months. He is described as 6 feet tall, dark complexion, black hair and eyes. Elizabeth Sanders died June 27, 1880 at the age of 39. After the death of his wife Samuel L. Boldon went on to marry two more times.
John Love Boldon the third son of Samuel T. and Margaret (Love) Boldon was born August 4, 1820 in Kentucky and married April 27, 1842 in Clark County, Illinois Nancy Ann Murphy. She was born September 4, 1826 in Monroe, Indiana to Benjamin Murphy and Cynthia Traux. It is stated that John and Nancy had 15 children. The fifth son Alpheus A. Boldon married Elizabeth M. McCracken. John L. Boldon died July 13, 1885 in Wisconsin. Elizabeth and Alpheus Boldon had a family of 13 children all born in Wisconsin.
Orpha Olena Boldon
(Orpha Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Orpha, the first daughter, of Lizzie and Alpheus A. Boldon was in November 1884.
Zoe Alta Boldon
(Zoe Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Zoe was born August 26, 1886 in Vernon County, Wisconsin and died March 21, 1966 in King County, Washington. She married Alex Sandon on August 26, 1905. He was born January 31, 1873 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin the son of Canadian born Ely and Helen Sandon. He and died January 1925. They had four children; Theodore (1907 California), Gerald (1912 Oregon), Irene (1914 Oregon married Harold F. Beadner) and Blanch (1916 Oregon).
Mary Annie Boldon
(Mary Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Mary, aka “Mabel” was born September 8, 1888 and married Leslie L. Silvernail on June 16, 1907. He was born November 16, 1882 at Island Lake, Rusk County, Wisconsin to Calvin C. and Angeline Silvernail both natives of New York. She died in Big Bend, Rusk County Wisconsin. Their children were Mary M. married Austin Nelson, Calvin L. and Raymond L. Silvernail.
John Lyman Boldon
(John Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
John was born April 10, 1891 and attended the International Bible College in Minneapolis before he married Lydia Olinda Holle about 1920. He had brown eyes and black hair. They lived in Maple Valley, Oconto County, Wisconsin where they had four children. Louise Elizabeth married Charles McBride, Thelma (Mrs. Bryan), Lois (Mrs. Fissel) and John Leroy. John Lyman Boldon died July 25, 1957 in Putnam, Indiana.
Adolph Alpheus Boldon
(Adolph Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Aldolph was born February 21, 1893 like his brother John became a minister of the gospel. He is found at home with his parents until his WW I draft registration card places him in Litchfield Minnesota with a wife. He is described as short, slender, gray eyes and black hair. He married Ella May Norris born 1895. Next we find him in Table Rock, Nebraska in 1920. He is 26, his occupation is a minister, and his wife Ella is 24. By 1930 he lives in Green Bay Wisconsin, as the pastor of the Church of Christ and they have three children Doris, Gretta and Harold. Finally in 1942 he registers for the WW II draft from East Chicago in Lake County Indiana. He died February 8, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois.
Rollie Robert Boldon
(Rollie Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Rollie was born about 1895 and married Ida Marie Petterson born about 1888 in Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Petter and Ida Petterson of Norway and recently of Nordland Township, Aitkin County, Wisconsin. Rollie and Ida had at least three children; Rolland born 1919, Arlene born 1921 and Alice born 1923. Rollie Boldon died in July 1968 in Sparta, Wisconsin.
Ada May Boldon
(Ada Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ada was born April 10, 1898 and married Leonard Peters Schneiders born December 24, 1894 in Green Bay Wisconsin. She died in Stark County Ohio on April 24, 1997 at the age of 99. Leonard is a veteran of WW I having served overseas. He was discharged July 5, 1919.
Dean Eli Boldon
(Dean Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Dean was born May 8, 1900 and died November 20, 1966 in Monroe County, Wisconsin. He and his wife Mollie had at least one son Gerald.
Ruth Boldon
(Ruth Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Ruth was born 1901.
Duane Gerald Boldon
(Duane Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Duane was born September 28, 1903 and died 1988 in Jackson County, Wisconsin. He married Miss Lempke.
Charley O. Boldon
(Charley Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Charley was born January 6, 1908 and died May 24, 1979 in Mclean County, Illinois. He married Clare Auspisteter born March 20, 1909 and died July 26, 1996 in Illinois.
Agnes Elsie Boldon
(Agnes Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Agnes was born June 23, 1910 and died December 1990.
Thaine W. Boldon
(Thaine Boldon5, Elizabeth4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Thaine was born 1916 and died in Canton, Stark County, Ohio on February 2, 1980.
(Isaac4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Isaac McCracken is the third son of Cornelius and Angelina McCracken. He was born January 2, 1871 in Bennezette Township, Butler County, Iowa. He married Viola Emma Downing who was born September 10, 1872 in Ontario, Wisconsin the daughter of William J. and Lucretia (Jones) Downing. She died July 20, 1939. Isaac died August 15, 1966 in Chippewa County Wisconsin. The Downing family has been traced back to Timothy Downing born about 1696 in Ireland and died about 1732 in Prince George, Maryland. Isaac and Viola had a family of 8 children.
They began their family in Forest, Vernon County Wisconsin where they had had their first five children then moving to Big Bend, Rusk County between 1900 and 1905, they had three more children. Their children were LaValle, Josephine Viola born April 9, 1895, Arnold was born May 7, 1900, Franklin Dale born August 4, 1902, Claud born 1903, Elma Grace, Harold Harvey, Fred Roscoe born May 16, 1911 and Arden Blum born September 10, 1917.
LaValle Isaac McCracken
(Lavalle5, Isaac4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
LaValle, aka “Valle” or “Val” first son of Isaac was born October 20, 1893 in Forest, Vernon County Wisconsin and married on October 20, 1917, Catherine Marie Payne born about 1901. They had 10 children;
Catherine L. (died April 20, 1920)
Ronald V. (born March 9, 1921)
Elenora G. (born September 14, 1922 and died January 8, 1975 married Norman Larson)
Marybelle (born May 21, 1924 married 1st Theodore Mertz and 2nd Richard Anders
Viola C. (born May 5, 1926)
Marshall I. (born October 7, 1927)
Dorothy L. (born September 15, 1929 and died December 29, 1995.
Benjamin Ford (born December 15, 1933 and died in September 1934)
Arden B. and
Catherine Marie (born November 11, 1940 and died November 14, 1940).
Robert Ford McCracken
(Robert5, Isaac4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Robert, the second son of Isaac uses the name “Ford” and was born April 30, 1897 by 1918 he was living and working in Grant County, S. D. He married in 1922 Leila Henderson born May 25, 1905 in Cainsville, Harrison County Missouri. By 1930 he was in Chippewa County, Wisconsin as a mail carrier.
They had at least three children Eugene, Jean and Nadine. Ford McCracken died November 23, 1953 and his wife died May 26, 1953. Both are buried in New Auburn, Chippewa County, Wisconsin.
Elma Grace McCracken
(Elma5, Isaac4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Elma is the second daughter of Isaac and was born April 2, 1907 in Wisconsin, married Bernard Charles Charlebois-Woods. Elma died November 18, 1985 and her husband born August 8, 1905 died December 30, 1980.
Harold Harvey McCracken
(Robert5, Isaac4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Harold, the fourth son of Isaac, was born May 8, 1909 in Bloomer, Chippewa, Wisconsin, and married 1st Dora Margaret Waugh and 2nd Irene Metcalf.
(Lulu4, Cornelius3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Lulu McCracken, the last child of Cornelius and Angelina McCracken, was born December 25, 1873 in Mt. Tabor, Vernon County, Wisconsin. She married about 1900 George Burchell born about 1855 in Pennsylvania. They are found on the on the 1900, 1905 and 1910 census reports in Hillsboro, Vernon County Wisconsin with two children Forest and Dennis. By 1920 Lulu is a widow with a third son Willis age 8 and lives next to her brother Robert McCracken and his wife Nettie in Big Bend, Rusk County.
(Robert3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Click here for the families of Robert McCracken Jr. and Mary Jane Paulhamus.
(George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
George, the seventh son of Robert and Rachel McCracken was born January 6, 1820 in Clearfield County, Pa. He married April 11, 1850 Margaret Ellen Templeton, the youngest sister of Sarah Lucas Templeton wife of James McCracken brother of George.
George and Margaret made the move west with his brothers James and Cornelius and several other families between 1868 and 1870. They are located in Ferguson Township, Clearfield County on the 1860 census.
He is found on the 1870 census in Jasper County, Iowa at age 50 wife Margaret is 40, and the children are Minerva P. 18, Calvin 15, Lewis 11, Franklin 8, Edgar 6, William 4 and Harry 2 all born in Pa. and Murray 3 months born in Jasper County Iowa. In 1880 they are still in Jackson, Boone County their children are William age 14 and Murrie age 10 born in Iowa. On the 1885 Iowa State census George is 64, Margaret 58, and the children still at home are Edgar 20, William 18 and Murray 15. George died May 9, 1889 in Boon County, Iowa and Margaret died July 2, 1912 in Long Beach, Los Angeles California.
(Minerva5, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The first child of George and Margaret Ellen Templeton married her 1st cousin George William McCracken son of Robert and Mary Jane (Polhumas) McCracken. Her descendents can be found in the Robert McCracken Jr. section of this work.
(Calvin5, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Calvin was born August 14, 1854 in Clearfield County, Pa. In 1870 Calvin is living with his parents in Malaka Township, Jasper County Iowa at age 15. On the 1880 census he is boarding with the Banning family in Ames, Story County at age 25 and is a single man working as a coal miner. His soon to be wife, Martha Banning born July 31, 1860, daughter of Josiah and Catherine Banning, is 20. On the 1885 Iowa state census he is living in Boone County at age 30 his wife is Mattie age 24. The children listed on the 1885 state census are Charles C. age 4, Orra C. (son) age 2 and Anna M. McCracken all born in Boone County, Iowa. On 1895 Boone County census Calvin is 40 and Martha is 35.
In 1900 they are living in Barnitz Township, Custer County Oklahoma and have been married for 20 years. Calvin and his two oldest sons are also on the El Reno Oklahoma census in a boarding house and working as stonemasons. The seven children that are at home with their mother are: Addie M. 15, Harry O. 12, Roy E. 10, Edward 8, Raymond 5, Archie 2 all had been born in Iowa and Della 6 months born in Oklahoma.
By 1910 they have moved to Spirit Lake, Idaho where they are listed as Calvin L. McCracken age 55 married 30 years and a bricklayer. His wife Martha is 49 and reports that she is the mother of 10 children with 9 still living. The children are Harry age 22, Roy E. 19, Edgar 18, Raymond 15, Archie 12 and Della M. age 10. Calvin L. McCracken died in 1913 probably in Idaho. The 1920 census shows Martha as the head of the family living in Granite, Bonner County Idaho. The children that are still single and live at home are Harry 32, Roy E. 29, Edward 27, Raymond 25, Archie 22 and Della age 20. Martha (Banning) McCracken died May 16, 1920 in Granite, Bonner County Idaho.
(Lewis4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The second son of George and Margaret (Templeton) McCracken was born May 26, 1858 in Clearfield County Pa. and is found on the 1860 census in Ferguson Township, Clearfield County and on the 1870 census living with his parents in Newton, Jasper County Iowa at age 11. By 1882 he had returned to Clearfield where he married on August 9, 1882 Martha Margaret Read daughter of Amos and Sina Read.
You will recall the name Sina Read the widow of Amos Read, married Lewis’ uncle John Nicholas McCracken. Although Margaret and Lewis didn’t share any blood relationship they had a step-relationship.
On the 1900 census of Angus, Boone County Iowa, Lewis E reports that he is 42 years old born May 1858 in Pa and has been married 18 years. Margaret reports that she is 45 years old born in August of 1854 in Pa and is the mother of eight children and only three are living in 1900. They are Elsie A. born January 1885 in Pa. and age 15, Margaret E. born April 1892 in Nebraska age 8 and William B. born December 1893 in Nebraska.
From sources other than the census we learn that the children that died at an early age were Valle born 1883 and died at 6 weeks, May born 1886, Pearl born about 1886, George born 1887 and died at 2 months old of pneumonia, Amos Artie born 1888 and died at 2 months of whooping cough. Lewis E. McCracken died May 4, 1906 and his wife died in 1928 in Los Angeles, California.
Amanda Belle McCracken
(Amanda5, Lewis4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Amanda, “Elsie A.” on the 1900 census, was born January 1, 1885 in Clearfield County, Pa. and married in 1902, Ira Franklin Johnson who was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on January 1, 1878 son of Ransom and Jane Johnson. He died on August 29, 1974 in Sacramento, California. He was a tall medium built man with blue eyes and black hair. He was working, in 1918, as a powerhouse foreman for the US Reclamation Service in Minidoka County Idaho. Ira and Amanda had two daughters and one son. Norma born in South Dakota February 21, 1905 and married Mr. McCurdy. She died March 28, 1994 in Sacramento California. Cecil G., a daughter born in March 1910 in South Dakota married Mr. Rudisell and died March 18, 1996 in Orange County California and Maurice or Morris, born 1914 in Idaho. Amanda died February 19, 1969 in Sacramento, California. (Her mother’s maiden name is spelled Reed in her death record.)
Margaret Helen McCracken
(Margaret5, Lewis4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Margaret was born April 20, 1892 in Nebraska. She married William Cochran and had two children Kathleen and Robert.
William Birchfield McCracken
(William5, Lewis4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
William was born December 23, 1893 in Nebraska and died September 26, 1979. He married on June 8, 1918 in Twin Falls, Idaho Maud Albert Egan who was born November 16, 1887 in Utah and died September 20, 1972. They had six children: Helen L. born in Idaho 1919, Clyde R., William B. Jr., Edward L., Paul C., and Donald B. born in California.
(Frank4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The third son of George and Margaret McCracken was born August 21, 1862 and died July 5, 1899. He married Maggie Wiley daughter of William and Ann Wiley of Ohio. Maggie was born in Minnesota in 1859. He is found on the 1885 Jackson County, Minnesota Territorial census living with his in-laws.
After her husband’s death she continued to live in Jackson with her five daughters named on the 1900 census of Des Moines Township, Jackson County Minnesota. She is listed as Maggie A. McCracken age 31 born January 1859 and a widow and the head of the family. She reports that she is the mother of 7 children with 5 living in 1900. Her surviving children are Lillian M. born June 1885 age 14, Maggie M., born September 1887 age 12, Effie L., born September 1893 age 6, Mertice G. born April 1896 age 4, Maude E. born October 1898 age 1. Her widowed mother lives with the family and is shown as Ann Wiley age 66 born in August 1835 in Ohio and the mother of two living children.
The family is also on the 1905 Minnesota census as Maggie McCracken age 37 with children, Lillian age 20, May 17, Effie 12, Mertice age 9 and Maud age 6 all born in Minnesota. On the 1920 census she is living with her widowed daughter, in Largent Bluff, Woodberry County, Iowa, Mae M. Summers age 33, a telephone operator, and her son Clyde L. Summers age 7 and a nephew Gavin W. McCracken age 6. Maggie is 51. Maggie Ann (Wiley) McCracken died on January 14, 1928 in Jackson County, Minnesota.
(Edgar4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The fourth son of George and Margaret McCracken was born in May 1863 in Clearfield County, Pa. He moved to Iowa with his parents about 1868/69. He married about 1886, Della Cox daughter of Wilson and Theodosia Cox of Ohio. Della is listed as Adella age 21 on the 1880 census where she is living with her family in Lafayette, Story County, Iowa. Edgar is on the 1885 State census still living with his parents in Boone County Iowa at age 20.
The 1900 census of Boone City, Des Moines Township, Iowa Edgar McCracken age 37 born May 1863 married 14 years occupation brick mason. Della born in Indiana December 1863 age 36 is the mother of three living children listed as Arthur born August 1887 age 12, Lottie born September 1889 age 10 and Clifford born November 1896 age 3 all born in Iowa.
For the 1910 census of Boone City, Boone County Iowa Edgar is 46 married 23 years to Della also 46 and born in Indiana, he is a carpenter for a contractor. One son, Clifford age 13, born in Iowa. Also in this household is his widowed father-in-law, Wilson Cox at age 75 and born in Ohio. On the 1920 census Ed and Della are still in Boone County Iowa and are 56 years old their son Clifford is 23. Both, Edgar and his son, work on the Railroad. Clifford is a brakeman and Ed repairs rail cars.
1930 census finds Della McCracken still in Boone City living with her daughter Lottie age 40 and her son-in-law Alexander Patterson age 42 and their family Archie 14 (1916), Phyllis age 6 (1924) and Dean Patterson age 4 (1926) all born in Iowa. Alexander Patterson is a clerk at a grocery store.
(Williamr4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The fifth son of George and Margaret (Templeton) McCracken was born August 10, 1866 and died on May 28, 1945 in Riverside, California. He married on September 26, 1894 in Boone County Iowa, Harriett Louise Goetzman born November 6, 1871 in Boone County Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Harriett Louise (Lamb) Goetzman. Harriett McCracken died November 3, 1960 in Riverside California.
They are first found as a family on the 1900 census in Des Moines Township, Boone County Iowa. Their listing is William B. McCracken born August 1866 in Pa., 33 years old, married 6 years, occupation: carpenter, Harriet L. born in November 1871 in Iowa and the mother of two children both living. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Ohio. The children are Harold G. born May 1895 age 5 and Harriett R. born September 1899 age 8 months. Margaret E. McCracken, the mother of William, lives with the family born May 1830 at 70 years old and widowed.
By 1910 the family lived in Long Beach, California where William was a Real Estate Agent. The children are shown as Harold 12 and Ruth 10. On the 1920 census they are in Tucson, Pima County Arizona where he is a building contractor. Harriet, his wife is 48 and Harriet, his daughter is 20 and still single. By 1930 the family was back in Los Angeles, California with William age 63 a contractor and Harriett age 58 and Harold age 34 and single working as a carpenter for a building contractor.
Harold Goetzman McCracken
(Harold5, William4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Harold was born May 30, 1895 in Boone County Iowa and died in Glendale, Los Angeles County California on November 14, 1975. When he registered for the draft in 1917 he was still single and gives his father William McCracken as his next of kin. He is described as tall medium build with light blue eyes and light brown hair.
Harriett R. McCracken
(Hariett5, William4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Harriett was born September 9, 1899 in Boone County Iowa died September 27, 1970 in Riverside, California. She married Burney C. Clark born December 3, 1900 in Rice County Kansas and died November 1, 1979 in Riverside, California. They had three children Donald L., Burney E. and Joyce L. Clark.
(Harry4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The sixth son of George and Margaret McCracken was born March 4, 1868 in Clearfield County, Pa. after which the family moved to Iowa. Harry died June 14, 1873 at 5 years old in Jasper County Iowa.
(Murray4, George3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
The seventh and last son of George and Margaret (Templeton) McCracken is the only one of the children that was born in Jasper County Iowa in March 1870. He is found up to the 1885 census living with his parents in Iowa. On the 1910 and 1920 census reports Murray is married (1902). His occupation is conductor on a steam railroad. His wife Blanch has given birth to two children, both still living; Vera their daughter (1903) and Kayle their son were both born in Boone County Iowa.
His wife, Blanch Hopkins was born about 1876 in Iowa. In 1920, His mother-in–law, Caroline Hopkins, lives with them at age 78 and widowed. She was born in Illinois of Scottish decent. In 1930 Murray and Blanch live in Boone City, Des Moines Township, Boone County Iowa. He is still working as a conductor on the railroad.
(Levi3, Robert2, James McCracken1)
Levi, 8th son of Robert and Rachel McCracken was born about 1822. He and his sister Rachel never married and both remained on their father’s homestead until their death. They are found in the 1870 and 1900 census in Knox Township he is 78 and she is 72 in 1900.