Lemuel McCracken Mystery

The only places that my dad can remember hearing associated with the McCracken family in addition to Lee County, Iowa and Crawford County, Kansas are Peoria and Quincy, IL. Lemuel Franklin (Lemuel’s oldest son with Louisana) , Minnie Almeda (daugther of Lemuel and Louisana), and Mary (Louisana’s daughter from her first marriage) lived in the Quincy, Illinois area.

What drew these children to the Quincy, Illinois area is unknown. However, it is known that Mary moved with her husband to this area early in their married life. It is possible that her husband had relatives in the area. Lemuel Franklin moved there some time later and it is unknown when Minnie arrived although speculation is that she may have went to live with Mary after Lemuel married Evaline.

To date, no ties have been found to Peoria, IL. There was, however, a small post office in Bates Co, MO that was named Peoria. This could have been the Peoria the family talked about, but my dad strongly believes the correct town is Peoria, IL.