My Genealogy Hound

Henry Clay McCracken, recorder of Polk County, Mo., was born July 13, 1856, and is a son of Joseph C. and Mary F. (Bodine) McCracken. His father is a native of Middle Tennessee, and when about thirteen years of age came with his parents to this county, locating with his father, Thomas McCracken, on Twenty-five-Mile Prairie, where he still lives. The McCrackens originally came from Scotland, and settled in Kentucky, the grandfather of our subject having served in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson. Joseph C. has been a farmer all his life. When the late war broke out he enlisted in the army and served throughout. In 1855 he married Miss Bodine, of Hickory County. H. Clay McCracken, the eldest of a family of nine children, was raised a farmer boy, and received a good education. After leaving the common schools he attended Weaubleau Christian Institute, Rondo Institute, and the Southwest Baptist College. During his course of study, and after completing it, he taught school till 1886, when he was elected county recorder, which position he holds at present, discharging his duties in a satisfactory manner. He is a stanch Republican, and a charter member of Godfrey Lodge No. 136, Knights of Pythias, Bolivar, Mo.