Event Date : Sunday, March 02, 1952
Event Type : Death
Municipality :
Community : Other - Bradford
Street :
Lot :
Concession : 0
Description : An old resident of Bond Head and community passed away on Sunday morning, March 2, at the home of his grandson, Wm. R. Ellis, Barrie, in the person of Alexander Hugh McCracken. He was in his 96th year. Deceased, the son of the late Hugh McCracken and his wife, Christine Robertson, was born in the village in the home now owned by Wm. Sutherland. He was the eldest of a family of eight, all of whom have predeceased him. He was a strong man, never being known to have any sickness in his life. Although his eyesight and his hearing were both failing, his memory was perfect when he took to his bed. He was a blacksmith by trade, working for some time with his father. In 1883 he was married to Charlotte Atkins and settled almost across the street from his birthplace. Some eight or nine years later he decided to quit blacksmithing and go to farming and moved with his family to the farm known as the Carruthers farm on the 7th line of Tecumseth. After being there for a space of time he moved and worked on different farms south of the village. While living on a farm on the 6th line of West Gwillimbury about 35 years ago, his wife passed away. Some time after her sudden demise he decided to return to his former trade and worked with William Gould at the blacksmithing in Bond Head until his retirement.He then lived with his daughter Christine, and son-in-law Crawford Ellis, who moved to the vicinity of Churchill. After the death of his daughter, Christine, seven years ago he moved with the Ellis family to the Thornton district, where he lived until his death. He is survived by two sons, Thomas Hugh of Mono Road, and James Alexander of Emsdale; also five grandchildren, Mrs. Vernon Jennett and Mrs. Leonard Sturgess of Thornton, Mrs. Peter Switzer of Egbert, Wm. R. of Barrie, and Hugh of Thornton, Peter Switzer Jr. and Donald Switzer of Egbert, Charlotte and Brenda Ellis, and Ernest Sturgess of Barrie. The funeral service was held in Bond Head United Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. A.E. McIlwain, assisted by Rev. Hughes of Thornton, and the remains were laid to rest beside those of his wife in the family plot in the cemetery.The pallbearers were his sons, Thomas H. and James A., Crawford Ellis, Verne Jennett, Wm. Ellis and P. Switzer.Flowerbearers were M.B. Hipwell, C. McLean, H. Davis, C. Brethet, E. McKay and E. Switzer.
