McCracken

One of the pioneer families of Marion County is the McCracken family. The earliest member of this family was Joseph Richmond McCracken who was born September 27, 1788, in Redford, Tennessee, and his wife, Adeline, who preceded her husband in death in 1860. Josepj Richmond died on December 24, 1865. Joseph Richmond and Adeline McCracken were the parents of Jefferson Thomas McCracken who was one of the first white children born in Marion County, November 29, 1830. Uncle Thomps -- Daddy McCracken -- as he was known, married Josephine, Aunt Jo, Kellog. To this union were born: J. R. (Richmond), John, William, Belle, Bunk, Emma, Kirk and Helen.

Daddy McCracken was one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Marion County and spent most of his life in the community north of Flippin, known as the McCracken Community. For many years he and Colonel Dan Fulbright were partners in the livestock business and close personal friends. Daddy McCracken enlisted in the Confederate Army and served as a Captain in the Army. After the war ended, he returned to his home and resumed farming. It is said that Jesse James, the outlaw, appeared at the McCracken home and spent the night there. Daddy McCracken, who always loved and kept fine saddle horses, had heard of Black Besse, the prized horse ridden by Jesse James, and though he did not know Jesse James, he recognized Black Besse. Jesse James left the McCracken home before dawn, not realizing that his host had recognized him but that the secret would be well-kept

After a long and useful life, Uncle Thomps passed away in 1915. Aunt Jo passed from this life in 1930. They were buried in the Wild Cat Cemetery.

Of the children mentioned earlier, William, a son, died during the Civil War; J. R. (Richmond) married Liza Hollowell and to this union were born the following: William (Bill) who married Dora King; Belle, who married Barton Smith; Beulah, who married Burl Smith; Cleburne, who was killed by a horse rearing up and failing on him. He never married. Helen, who married John Osborne; Cora D., who married Arthur Moore; Lula, who married Rommie Sanders; and Ralph, who married Ora Hodge.

Uncle Richmond was a farmer and timber worker. He loved singing and for nearly a half century he was the song leader for the Church of Christ in the Wild Cat, Malidda and Fairview communities. He passed away in the late 1930's and was buried beside Aunt Bit who preceded him in death in the early 1930's. Their burial plot was in the Wild Cat Cemetery. Aunt "Bit", as she was affectionately known, was one of those who believed that it was better to serve than to be served. She delivered many babies and served as doctor and nurse, not only to these mothers and new-born babies, but to the sick, the aged and the infirm. She was ready to go to the sick at any time, day or night, and the weather was never too bad for her to render service to those in need.

John McCracken married Mary Matthews and their children are listed in the history of the Matthews family.

Belle McCracken married Frank King, son of the pioneer King family who lived near White River in the northern part of the County. They were the parents of a large number of children whose names cannot now be recalled. Both Belle and Frank are deceased but some of their descendants still live in the County.

Bunk McCracken married Laquita Poynter and to this union were born the following children: Nellie (Mrs. Charlie Parker); Jim Kirk, who married Elva Wilkerson of Peel; Patrick, who married Clemma Jones of Peel; Zella, who married Fred Payne; Charlie, who married Iva Fox of Oakland; Thomps, who married Eula Holden of Flippin; Ella, who married Lowell (Bally) Ferguson.

Emma McCracken married Cal Cornell and their children were: Dan,Ike, Ruth, Truman, Stella (Ted), Della, LeRoy and Jack

Kirk married Stella Cornell, sister of Cal Cornell. Their children were: Ruby, George, Clark, Stella and Della (twins), and Tom.

Helen married Sherman Oxford and they were the parents of: Mack, Mabel, and, perhaps others whose names cannot be recalled.

The McCracken family in the early part of this century was one of the largest families in Marion County. Today, one child of J. R. McCracken lives in the County; one child of John McCracken lives in the County; four of the Bunk McCracken children live in the County; two of the Kirk McCracken children still reside here; four of the Emrna (McCracken) Cornell children live here; one and perhaps another child of Helen (McCracken) Oxford resides here and perhaps some of the children of Belle (McCracken) King still live in the County.