Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 549] a prosperous agriculturist of Neshannock township, whose portrait may be found on the opposite page, was born in the above township, in 1838, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Lindsey) McCreary, and grandson of Samuel and Margaret (McCleary) McCreary.
The grandfather of our subject came to this country from his native place in Union Co., Pa., with his wife in 1802, and settled in Mercer County, in that part of which is now a part of Lawrence County. He was a farmer by occupation, which calling, in connection with raising cattle for the market, continued to occupy his attention and to command his labors until failing powers demanded his retirement; his death took place in 1858, when he was aged eighty years. He worked hard and late, with an industry that is rarely seen or even equalled and was considered as a prosperous man of the time in which he lived, and would be considered well-off to-day, for he owned upwards of six hundred acres of valuable land. He was a supporter of Whig doctrines in politics. He and his wife were attendants of the Presbyterian Church. She bore him ten children, as follows: Enoch; Eliza; Elizabeth; Thomas; William; Jane; Martha; Findlay; Margaret and Nancy. Grandfather Samuel McGreary served in the War of 1812.
Thomas McCreary was educated in the schools of his native town, and upon arriving at manhood's estate chose agriculture as a life-work, and followed it all his life, also dealing in cattle, sheep, etc., to a considerable extent. The virtues of the father were continued in the son, and he too by industry and excellent judgment improved upon the patrimony left him, and became a leading citizen of his community. He at first wielded his franchise of a voter under the direction of the Whig party, but later became an earnest Republican, but would never accept office, although very active in the service of his party. His wife, before mentioned, was a daughter of George Lindsey, and bore him the following children: Samuel C.; Margaret, who married Robert D. Patterson of Union township, and made him the proud parent of five children—Thomas, Adella J., Nannie T. P., John D., and Robert H. S.; George L., deceased, was a member of Co. F, 100th Reg. Pa. Vol., he died of wounds received in the army; Baxter, who married Hattie Lee of the State of Iowa; Henry, who married Mary A. Gibson of Wilmington township, this county, and has two children, George and Letitia; Nancy J., now deceased, who married Thomas Pomeroy, and left him two children, Margaret and Nellie. They were Presbyterians in religious belief. Mrs. McCreary passed away in 1891, aged eighty years. Our subject's father is still living and enjoying life at the age of eighty-eight years.
The district schools of Neshannock township furnished Samuel C. with a rudimentary education. He worked on the farm until August, 1861, when he enlisted for service in the defense of the Union in Co. F, 100th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., and served until Dec. 4, 1862, being discharged at that time for disabilities received in the service, losing a limb at Chantilly, Va. On his return he managed the farm for a time, and then took a course in the Iron City Business College of Pittsburg, Pa., and in 1872 was elected prothonotary of Lawrence County (commonly known as clerk of court); in this capacity he served six years, retiring Jan. 1, 1879, returning then to his farm. He owns and cultivates ninety-six acres of valuable, well-improved land, devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He is a stanch Republican, politically. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 100, of New Castle, Pa.
In 1867, he was joined in matrimony with Margaret A. Deemer, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Rodgers) Deemer of Plain Grove township; five children have been the fruit of this union: Jennie who married William V. Fisher and has two children, Margaret M. and Lilly Ann; Ira C., who is studying for the ministry at Allegheny, Pa.; Thomas E. married Miss Claudine Shoaff of Neshannock township; Nancy E.; and Harry D. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. McCreary is an elder of the first U. P. Church of New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. McCreary are highly esteemed in their neighborhood and township, and are entitled to be classed among the first citizens. They are the friends of good order and system, and are contributing their portion toward the further progress of the community, morally, socially, and intellectually.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 16 Jul 2001