Born in Kentucky, Jesse L. McCrocklin moved to Texas in 1833. During the Texas Revolution he fought in the Siege of Bexar in 1835 and the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. In 1842 he took part in the Somervell expedition against Mexico. He resided at Washington-on-the-Brazos and in present Kendall County, and finally settled on his land grant in Blanco County. He worked as a stock raiser, farmer, and blacksmith, was a member of the Masonic Order, and married Isabella Harris (1812-1902), with whom he had four or more children.