The gentleman whose name heads this record spent the first nineteen years of his life in the land of his nativity and then determined to seek a home in the New World, for he believed that he might thereby better his financial conditions.  Taking passage on the steamer Circassion, of the Allen line he safely crossed the Atlantic and landed at Port Levi, Quebec.  He spent nearly two years in the Queen’s dominion before coming to Sault de Ste. Marie, and on the 5th of May, 1881, arrived in this city, -a young man who had not yet attained his majority and possessing a cash capital of less than $50.  He was master of the painter’s trade, however, and was industrious, enterprising and ambitious.  He resolved to make the most of his opportunities and was not long in seeking employment, which he secured in a short time from James Hamilton.  He worked by the day all that season and the following year began business for himself, taking contracts which soon yielded to him a good income.  He opened a paint shop and was soon at the head of a good business, which steadily increased until he had accumulated a capital of $3,500.  Thus when the “boom” came on he was enabled to make investments which, owing to the rapid rise in land values, soon netted him at least $50,000.  He now has his capital safely invested in valuable property, including stores and residences, and the monthly rental is a handsome income.  He owns the Cracknell blocks, comprising six stores on Portage Avenue, three dwellings in the Fort Brady addition, two on Ann Street, his homestead on Lyons Street and a store and dwelling on the Canadian side of the river.  All this he owns in addition to the large business which he now conducts.  He has had all the large contracts for painting and glazing in the Government work at this place, and obtained the contract from the Government for the work at Fort Brady.  The man who can successfully conduct important business transactions must possess abilities no less than those of the general on the field of battle.  His campaign, it is true, is of a different character and different methods are required.  He must have industry, energy and determination, good management and perseverance, and above all, must possess a tact that enables him to meet all classes of people with their varied tastes.

Mr. Cracknell was married on Manitoulian Island, on the 29th of September, 1881, to Miss Sarah J. Hickenbottom, only daughter of Walter Hickenbottom, who was born in Buckingham, England, and was a farmer by occupation.  Our subject and his wife have a daughter, May, a little maiden of ten years.  Socially Mr. Cracknell is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity, belongs to the Episcopal Church and is a highly respected citizen and a self-made man, whose prosperity has been achieved entirely through his own well-directed efforts.