William Le McCracken, eldest son of C.T. "Tip" and Anna Smith
      McCracken, was born May 18, 1884, on Little Mule Creek.
        Tip McCracken came from Texas to Caldwell, Kansas, with a trail
      herd in 1878. He decided to stay in Kansas and worked for some of
      the big cattle men of the day. In 1882, he married Anna Smith,
      daughter of W.H. Smith (Uncle Bill), who in 1876 was one of the
      first settlers on Little Mule Creek in Barber County. The Smith
      place was located adjacent to Scot Cummins' Last Chance Saloon and
      Store. Tip and Anna McCracken settled about 2 miles south of the
      Smith home. It was here their first child, William Lee, was born.
        William "Lee", as he was called, grew up on this farm with a
      sister, Mamie, and a brother, Bob. Lee received his education in 
      Kiowa, Kansas, at Canema District 18, and the Salina Business College.
      In 1905 he married Alice Hickle who came with her parents, C.E. and
      Becky Hickle, from Ohio in 1886.
        After Lee and Alice were married they settled on the farm formerly
      owned by Scot Cummins. On this farm nine children were born, eight
      of whom lived to adulthood. These children were Mildred, Charles,
      Elmer, Roy, Della, Elizabeth, Lenora, and John. Lee's children all
      received their grade school education at Canema and all eight graduated
      from high school in Medicine Lodge. The family regularly attended Union
      Chapel, the local country church, and all the family eventually accepted
      Christ there. They were baptized at the First Christian Church in Medicine
      Lodge and had their membership there.
        Lee and Alice, through the good example of their parents, raised their
      family to be honest, God-fearing citizens. Times may have been hard but
      much love eased them, and what remains are many happy memories.
        In Lee's later years one of his greatest pleasures was recounting
      stories of early days. His children, and especially his grandchildren,
      loved to listen to him paint an exciting or humorous picture with his
      slow Texas drawl.
        Lee lost his wife Alice in 1946 and later married  Nettie Hughes.
      They lived on the home place until Lee's death in 1966. At the time of
      his death Lee was survived by all 8 children, 24 grandchildren, and 40
      great-grandchildren.
        Lee's eldest grandson, C. Harris McCracken, son of Charles and Florence,
      now owns and operates Lee's farm, part of which once belonged to Lee's
      grandmother.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 294 
     Submitted by: Charles T. McCracken