Fannie Alice Newell

On September 14, 1921, eighty-seven short years ago, Fannie Alice Newell McCracken, my grandmother, died.

I know little about Fannie. And no, I never met her, but thanks for asking.

She was born on November 13, 1876, probably in Cincinnati Twp, Harrison County, Iowa, the eldest child of Nathaniel and Sarah Emily McNeal Newell. At about the age of 18, she moved with her parents and younger siblings to the state of Washington. They first lived near Deer Park, before they moved to Scotts Valley, just outside TumTum. In 1900, Fannie was living with Earl and Mary Ellen Schoonover and their family in Spokane, Washington as a boarder. She was employed as a telephone operator.

Earl Schoonover’s nephew, Ira Beam McCracken and Fannie Alice Newell were married on November 6, 1905 in Spokane.

They set up home in the area of TumTum. Their first three children were born in Scotts Valley and are buried in Scotts Valley Cemetery, along with Fannie’s parents. Their fourth child was born while Ira worked on the construction of Long Lake Dam. Juanita, my mother and Fannie and Ira’s only child to live for more than 48 hours was born in a tent in the work camp of Long Lake in 1914.

A few years later, the McCracken family moved, first to St. Helens, Oregon for a few month and then to Vancouver, Washington. In Vancouver, Fannie gave birth to her fifth child.

Fannie was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a radical mastectomy and underwent experimental radiation therapy. She died four days before her only surviving child's seventh birthday.

I know it is odd, writing about someone I never met. And yet, if I don't remember Fannie, who will?