John Thom McCreath was born on 21 November 1855 at Burnbank, Ayr. He was a Joiner to Trade. 

John married Mary D. Thomson on 3 July 1879 at St Quivox, Ayr. They had a daughter Isabella Thomson McCreath born 3 December 1881 at St Quivox.

Mary died on 15 October 1884 at Ayr.

John remarried in Govan, Glasgow on 12 December 1889 – to Maggie McConnell.

Isabella was raised by her father and his new wife. She married John McBlain.

John and Maggie had four children:

Andrew Muir McCreath born about 1893. A Joiner like his father. Killed 31 July 1917, Ypres.

Harold (Harry) McCreath born about 1895. Married Lizzie McCulloch.

John (Jack) McConnell McCreath born 12 February 1896, Ayr. Married Freda Connie McCreath (maiden name not known)

Robert McCreath born 28 November 1901 at Ayr. Married Catherine Brown