Enos & Anna (Frazier) McCracken

Obituary for Anna McCracken (mother of Joseph McCracken):

Anna J. Frazier, daughter of Joseph and Narcissa Frazier was born July 11, 1849, at Salem, Iowa, and went home to be with Jesus July 5, 1926. The greater part of her girlhood days were spent in Salem, Iowa, and vicinity.

After having passed through the Common Schools she entered Whittier College, a Friends school at Salem, Iowa, from which she graduated in 1873 with honors, being the Valedictorian of her class. She taught in the Public Schools for several years and afterwards became Principal of the LaGrand Academy in Iowa. She was converted in early childhood and lived a consistent Christian life.

Dec. 20, 1876, she was married to Enos H. McCracken of Richland, Iowa, and with her husband went to [Macon] Mississippi where they engaged in teaching the colored people of that State. Some of their pupils are holding important places in the educational world today.

Returning from the South where they worked about four years she went with her husband to Iowa City where Enos McCracken graduated from the University Law Department of Iowa. From this place they moved to Hoxie, Kansas. At this place were born to them all but one of their seven children. One being born at Iowa City and one dying in infancy. The remaining ones are Pearl Toothacre of Hoxie, Kansas, J. W. and Bertha of Scotts Mills, Ray of Spiceland, Indiana, Preston of Iowa, and Glenn of Cuba.

In 1901 she and her family moved to Holguin, Cuba where they lived until July 1923. That is when they came to Scotts Mills where her husband was soon taken in death. In all the different places where she lived she was a tireless Christian worker. She was a lifelong member of the Friends church. Her children are all Christians and eternity will reveal the good her life accomplished.

A precious one from us has gone. A voice we loved stilled. A place is vacant in our home Which never can be filled. God in His wisdom has recalled the boon His love had given And though the body slumbers here The soul is safe in heaven.

Enos Hadley McCracken and Anna Frazier were married December 20, 1876, in Salem, Iowa.

Obituary for Enos McCracken (father of Joseph McCracken):

Enos Hadley McCracken was born at Pleasant Plain, IA., October 7th, 1848. He grew up to young manhood and was converted there, attending the common schools and later graduating from Whittier College at Salem, IA, in 1873.

He left there for the South to teach the freedmen, and was there three years. He returned to the North, and on December 20th, 1876, was united in marriage to Anna J. Frazier, of Salem, Iowa.

They went back to the South and both engaged in teaching and mission work, helping many to get a start in a life of Christian service. From this number was the girl who later became the wife of Booker T. Washington.

Upon returning north he took up work in the Law School of Iowa University, graduating from that department in 1880. He and his wife then settled in Sheridan County, KS, where he practiced law for several years, being County Attorney a part of the time. Later he spent his time on the farm, tho always keeping in touch with educational work, being on the County Teachers Examining Board practically all the time.

There being no Friends Meeting in this community, he had his membership in the Fairview Monthly Meeting, about 80 miles away. With his family he attended the Monthly Meetings regularly as long as the Meeting was kept up. He worked faithfully in the local church, being especially interested in Sunday School work, and as County President spent much time in visiting and organizing new Sunday Schools in the various districts.

In 1891 he moved with his family to Holguin, Cuba, where he lived for 22 years. In 1923, with his wife, two children, and two grandchildren, he returned to this country, settling at Scotts Mills, Oregon.

His health had been gradually failing for the past four years. The last year the change had been more rapid, and on November 5th, 1924, he peacefully slipped out of this life into the glorious life beyond.

He is survived by his wife, six children and thirteen grand-children.