BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.

Pages 741-742.
 
WILLIAM McCRACKEN was born and raised on his father's farm, being the youngest
of four children. He had only a common school education. On May 28, 1863, he
married Miss Angeline Henderson, daughter of William T. and Jane (Anderson)
Henderson, who were American born, but of Irish descent. William T. Henderson
was a man of fine intelligence, high moral character, and a good financier. His
ancestors owned many broad acres, and the family had a reputation for their skill
in farming and stock-raising. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
McCracken: an infant, which died December 14, 1864; Maggie A., William H. and R. J.
Porter. After his marriage Mr. McCracken at once moved to the farm which he now
lives on. He has met with gratifying success in his business, having 125 acres of
well cultivated land, on which he does mixed farming. He and his wife are acceptable
members of the United Presbyterian church, of Unity. Mr. McCracken's father was born
in Washington county, Penn., March 4, 1797, and came to Ohio with his father, Robert,
in 1805, settling in Harrison county. His early life was spent in clearing and cul-
tivating the land which his father had taken up. He remained with his parents until
1826, when he married Margaret McCune, daughter of Col. Thomas McCune of revolutionary
fame. His wife died in 1832, and he again married, this time to Mary Porter, November
5, 1833. They had four children: Margaret, Jane, Robert and William. When first married
he moved to the property now occupied by Nathaniel Taylor, where he remained until
1846, when he removed to the place where his wife died January 21, 1879, and where he,
too, died June 6, 1884, passing away at the ripe old age of eighty-seyen years. Both
he and wife were consistent members of the United Presbyterian church. William
McCracken is educating his children in music, his daughter Maggie attending Muskingum
college for that and other educational purposes.