James McCreath was born on 28 May 1835 in Elderslie, Renfrewshire. At the age of 17, with an elder brother and sister, James emigrated to America. They settled first in Kewanee, Illinois before trekking westward to North Bend, Nebraska in 1886.
Mary Graham was also born in Renfrewshire, on 18 January 1837. She came to America with her parents, in 1855. The Graham’s also first settled in Kewanee before moving westward.
James McCreath married Mary Ann Graham on 28 May 1857.
They had 8 children:
George H. McCreath born 13 September 1856, Illinois. Married Mary Veronica Brown.
John Walter McCreath born 9 May 1860, Illinois. Married Caroline L. Kenyon.
Eliza Jane McCreath born 22 May 1862. Married James Robertson.
William Graham McCreath born 30 April 1866, Nebraska. Married Jessie Robertson.
Mary Ann McCreath born 25 May 1868. Married Willard McKinstry.
Albert Hall McCreath born 4 December 1870, Nebraska. Married Nora D. Rhoad.