Pilot Tribune 30 June 1938

Mrs. McCracken Succumbs At 86

(picture)

Resident of Washington County Since 1868 Is Dead In Blair

In failing health for many months, and seriously ill all spring, Mrs. J. E. McCracken, 86, widow of the late prominent Civil war veteran, died Sunday at the family home on west Jackson street. She had been a resident of Blair and vicinity for 70 years, since coming here as a young bride.

As Elizabeth Armstrong she was born in Effingham county, Illinois, August 27, 1851, and was married there September 25, 1868 to Jacob E. McCracken, who had just returned from service with the Union soldiers in the Civil war. They came to Washington county the same year and have resided here since then.

Mr. McCracken died here September 5, 1936, at the age of 89 years, the last member of the once powerful John A. Dix post G.A.R., which at its height had 168 members.

Mr. and Mrs. McCracken were the parents of five children, one of whom died at the age of nine years. Surviving Mrs. McCracken are three sons, Walter and John of Blair and Hugh of Omaha; a daughter, Mrs. Minnie Millray of Omaha; and a brother, William Armstong of Fremont.

Mrs. McCracken had been a member of the Methodist church for the past 60 years.

Funeral services were held at First Methodist church Tuesday at 3 p.m., the Rev. Ralph P. Rasmussen officiating. Members of the Women’s Relief Corps assisted with the service. Burial followed in Blair cemetery.

Note: Women’s Relief Corps (W.R.C.) to the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Auxiliary (she has an iron marker by her tombstone, and it is mentioned in an obituary).

Obituary #2, Enterprise 30 June, 1938

Mrs. McCracken, Early Settler, Died Sunday

Was Wife of The Last Civil War Veteran In County

Mrs. J. E. McCracken, who for some time had been seriously ill, passed away Sunday at the age of 86. Had she lived until August 27, she would have passed her 87th birthday.

Elizabeth Armstrong was born in Illinois where she resided until her marriage to J.E. McCracken on September 25, 1868 and they immediately came to Washington County where they established their home.

Five children were born to the union , one passing away in childhood. Those surviving are: Walter and John of Blair, Mrs. Minnie Millray and Hugh of Omaha and one brother, William Armstrong of Fremont.

Mrs. McCracken was a faithful member of the Methodist church for the past 60 years.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock with the Rev. Ralph P. Rasmussen officiating assisted by the W.R.C. and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

Find a Grave # 8601537

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~