John & Carrie (Kenyon) McCreath

John Walter McCreath was born in Kewanna, Illinois on 9 May 1860 and moved with his parents to North Bend, Nebraska at the age of four, experiencing a hard and isolated existence in the then sparsely populated area.

He  married Caroline (Carrie) L Kenyon on 28 August 1881 in Jamestown, Nebraska. In 1907 the family moved to Cherry County, Nebraska. The difficulties and challenges they faced can be seen in the photo of their ‘sod’ home (click for image); this being the only building material available on the treeless plain. James’s knowledge of carpentry stood him in good stead to face these challenges.

They had seven children:

Leora Bell McCreath born 13 July 1882, North Bend, Nebraska. Married Deloss Spencer Day.

Mabelle May McCreath born 3 November 1884. Died 22 May 1898, North Bend.

Clara Amelia McCreath born 30 July 1886, North Bend, Nebraska. Married Arthur Nelson Hanks.

George Henry McCreath born 10 June 1888. Married Bertha Esta Beason.

William Glenn McCreath born 26 August 1890. Married (i) Bertha B White (ii) Lillian Mae Mikkelsen and (iii) Ruby Mae McGinnis.

James Lewis McCreath born 12 April 1895. Married Velora Gertrude Losh.

Florence Eliza McCreath born 17 December 1903. Married Rudolph H Niemoth.

Front: Carrie McCreath, James, John McCreath holding Florence. Back : William , Leora, Clara, George.