My Genealogy Hound

JAMES McCREADY is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of Summit Hill. His office is at Lansford, and he occupies the position of chief clerk of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. As his name indicates, he belongs to an old Scotch family, and his birth occurred in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1851. His father, died in that country, and when he was a child of four years he was brought by his mother to America. After his arrival here he attended the public schools for a time, and later received private instruction from Rev. John White, a Presbyterian minister. After starting out to make his own way in the world, he still continued his studies for four years.

Mr. McCready sought and obtained a position with the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, entering their employ in 1865, and serving as clerk in one of their offices. This position he acceptably filled, and his merits, trustworthiness and ability won him quick promotion. At length he was made chief clerk of the company, having his headquarters in Lansford. He is one of the oldest employes in years of continued service with the company, having been connected with them in various capacities for the past twenty-seven years. That he has ever been faithful to his duty this long term of service well indicates, and that he has the confidence of his employers is shown by his continuous promotion.

In June, 1873, Mr. McCready was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Susan P. Hart, a native of Summit Hill, and a daughter of Nathaniel Hart. Their union has been blessed with a family of four children, two sons and two daughters: Anna; Nathaniel, who is now in school; William and Susanna. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death, and the children are all yet under the parental roof. The family is one of prominence in the community, and its representatives hold a high position in the circles of society in which they move.

In religious belief, Mr. McCready and his wife are Presbyterians, holding membership with the church in Summit Hill. They take a leading and active part in church and benevolent work, and for sixteen years our subject has served as one of the elders’ of the church, For the same length of time he has also been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and his efforts in this direction have resulted in much good. In politics he is an inflexible adherent of the principles of the Republican party, has served as an efficient member of the Borough Council, and has recently been elected a Director of the Poor of the middle coal field district. He is a social and affable gentleman who has made many friends in this community, and with pleasure we present to our readers this record of his life work.