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JARVIS CRACKEL, senior member of the firm of Crackel & Co., extensive drygoods merchants of Mt. Vernon, was born in Wabash County, this state, in April, 1843. He is the son of Thomas Crackel, a native of Lincolnshire, England, who, coining to America in an early day, cast in his lot with the resident of Albion, Edwards County, which place was established by Flower, the noted Englishman. In later life he removed to Wabash County, where he became an extensive farmer, and at the time of his death, in 1863, was accounted one of the wealthiest men in the county. His brother, Kelsey Crackel, who also came to the United States when a young man, likewise became rich in this world's goods. It is a notable fact that when the brothers landed at Shawneetown they had only fifty cents between them, and from that small beginning they arose to be classed among the foremost citizens of Wabash County. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hall, was also of English ancestry and departed this life m 1849. She reared a family of seven children, of whom Jarvis was the fifth in order of birth; George is a resident of Edwards County; Mary, Mrs. Berket, died seyeral years ago, while residing in the above county; William was killed during the lat war, while in the service as a member of the Sixty-third Illinois Infantry; Robert is a farmer in Edwards County; Elizabeth married Bert Joachen and makes her home in Evansville, Ind., and Thomas, a railroad engineer, met his death in November, 1886, by being thrown from his engine. Jarvis Crackel grew to man's estate on his father's farm, in the meantime receiving but limited advantages for obtaining an education. He engaged in farm pursuits until 1887, when he came to Mt. Vernon, where he opened a large dry-goods store. His house is widely- known from the fact that it was the only place of business of its kind which withstood the cyclone of 1888. His son John is engaged in business witli him, and by the thorough manner in which they conduct their affairs they have built up a large patronage and rank among the prosperous merchants of the city. Mr. Crackel was married January 29, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Goodbourn, who was a native of Leicestershire, England, and came to America in company with her father, John Goodbourn, when she was fourteen years of age. Her father was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed in his native country, but after coining to America engaged in farming, and died October 13, 1882, while residing in Edwards County, this state. His good wife is still living and makes her home in Albion. Mrs. Crackel has two brothers and two sisters, namely: Isaac, a prominent farmer of Edwards County; John, a retired farriier of Edwards Count}'; Sarah A., Mrs. George Green, of Albion; and Anna, Mrs. George Hall, of Grayville, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Crackel have had born to them one son, John, who is in his twenty-ninth year and is junior member of the firm of Crackel & Co. He was married to Miss Martha Pickering, granddaughter of General Pickering, ex-Governor of Washington Territory.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
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