Gerturude Junkin (1858-1933)

E3 Gerturude Junkin (twin), born September 7, 1858, died November 24, 1933 in Hamilton, Montana. Married January 8, 1878 William Wallace McCrackin, died 1913. William Wallace was the president of the Ravalli Company bank of Hamilton, Montana. Three children.

Group portrait of the children of William Wallace Junkin, ca. 1910.

GERTRUDE McCRACKIN
September 7, 1858 - November 24, 1933

DEATH OF PIONEER. MRS. W.W. McCRACKIN IN MONTANA MANY YEARS.

Mrs. Gertrude McCrackin, aged 75, widow of the late W.W. McCrackin, old-time Montana banker, was found dead in her room at the family home here last Friday morning at 8:30 o'clock by her son's wife, Mrs. Wallace McCrackin. Dr. George McGrath stated death had come some hours before, presumably from a heart attack. She had apparently risen during the night and when discovered, her body lay across the bed.

She returned to Hamilton in May from Long Beach, California, where she spent the past six years with her daughter, mrs. M.A. White, for her health. Mrs. White returned to Long Beach three weeks ago.

Mrs. McCrackin came to the state with her husband in 1877, settling at Sand Coulee, where he engaged in raising sheep. Two years later, they went to Butte, where Mr. McCrackin was affiliated with the Clark Bank and later was president of the Silver Bow National Bank. They came to Hamilton in 1894.

Her son, Wallace, and the daughter, Mrs. M.A. White, survive, with three granddaughters, Misses Gertrude and Virginia White of Long Beach and Mrs. Milton D. Byrd of Hamilton. A twin sister, Mrs. J.B. Swinbourne, lives at Fairfield, Iowa, birthplace of Mrs. McCrackin. Another sister, Mrs. J.F. Hinkhouse, is at Iowa City, and a brother, P.S. Junkin, is postmaster at Fairfield. A brother, W.D. Junkin, is editor of the Daily Press Dispatch at Brainerd, Minnesota. Their father was founder and editor for years of the Fairfield Ledger.

Mrs. McCrackin was a director of the Ravalli County Bank, founded by her husband in 1894, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCrackin died in 1913 and their oldest daughter, Helen, well-known school teacher, was a victim of the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Last rites for the beloved pioneer woman were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Presbyterian Church, Rev. C.R. Miller and Rev. J.C. Irwin uniting in the service. A brief tribute to the serene Christian character of Mrs. McCrackin was paid by Rev. Miller. Her steadfast devotion to old-time friends in this community which had been her home for the greater part of 40 years and the fact that she had been able to spend the last few months of her life among them were sketched by the minister. The church was filled with scores of people from every part of western Montana and others were unable to find room, waiting outside until the service was finished. Many followed the casket to its last rest in Riverview Cemetery, where Mrs. McCrackin's husband and daughter are buried. The pallbearers were: Dr. George McGrath, C.H. Raymond, Dr. G.E. Davis, C.A. Smithey, B.W. Reimel, and T.R. Glass.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralston McCrackin of Phillipsburg were relatives who came from out of town to attend the rites.

Ravalli Republican
November 30, 1933

Children Gerturude Junkin of and William Wallace McCrackin:

F1 Helen McCrackin, born October 30, 1880, died April 1918, a victim of the influenza epidemic. Unmarried.

F2 William Wallace McCrackin, born 1890, died November 5, 1940, a veteran of World War I.

F3 Virginia McCrackin, born 1883, died 1955; married Mortimer Andrew White.