Mccracken, John Steele

McCracken, John Steele a Presbyterian minister, was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, April 25,1804. His opportunities in early life for acquiring knowledge were poor. In 1833 he entered the preparatory department of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and graduated in 1838; studied theology under the care of the First Presbytery of Ohio of the Associate Reformed Church, and subsequently attended the theological seminary at Alleghany City, Pa., and the seminary at Oxford; was licensed in 1841, and then went out as a missionary among the newly-formed congregations in Illinois and Iowa; in 1843 he accepted a call from the Church at Kenton, Ohio, where he labored until his health gave way. He died April 1, 1863. Mr. McCracken was an able expounder and a sound theologian; his judgment was eminently just and critical; his disposition charitable and liberal. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1864, p. 352. (J. L. S.)