ROBERT McCREADY is a representative of an old and well-known family. His grandfather, Alexander McCready, was born about 1760, in Ireland, where he married Sarah , who was born in 1758. He learned and followed the shoemaker's trade. In 1786 he sailed for America, and six months after his arrival, after making the necessary arrangements, he sent for his wife. While Mrs. McCready was on the ocean her eldest daughter were born. Soon after the family was united in this country they came to Washington county, Penn., locating in Burgettstown, where Alexander worked at his trade and other employment. He assisted in digging the race for the old mill which used to stand southeast of Burgettstown, known as "McFarland's Mill," and for doing his work received seventy-five acres of land in Smith township. He removed to this farm, and passed the remaining days of his life in agricultural pursuits. He was a Whig in politics. He died February 24, 1850, his wife on May 25, 1847, and they were buried in the U. P. cemetery of Burgettstown, Penn. They left the following children: Ann (Mrs. John Maxwell), Alexander, John, William, Robert, Rebecca (wife of John Custard), and Mary (Mrs. White), all now deceased. Robert McCready was born in 1801, near Burgettstown, Penn., where he attended the rate schools of that period, and learning the shoemaker's trade, followed it in Burgettstown. In early life he was married to Mary Reed, who was born in Allegheny county, Penn., in 1797. The young couple lived a short time in Burgettstown, thence moving to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he worked at his trade, and later conducted a hotel on Smithfield street, opposite the present site of the "Monongahela House." In 1840 he left Pittsburgh and returned to Burgettstown. In 1842 he removed to Hanlin Station, Washington county, and there passed the remainder of his life. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat. He died in 1872, his wife having crossed the river October 15, 1859, and both were buried in the U. P. cemetery at Paris. Their children were as follows: Sarah Jane (Mrs. Lewis Saxton, of Pittsburgh); Alexander (who died in Brooke county W. Va.; Robert (our subject); Margaret Ann (Mrs. William Beall, of Hanover township); and Mary E. (married to James Gibson). Robert McCready was born December 10, 1833, in Pittsburgh, Penn. When but a small boy his parents removed to Hanlin Station, Washington county, where he was educated; he learned the trade of a shoemaker. On March 24, 1859, he was married to Elizabeth Gibson, who was born November 16, 1836, daughter of Robert and Jane (Cunningham) Gibson, of Hanover township, a representative of one of the oldest families in the vicinity. The following children have been born to Robert and Elizabeth McCready: Mary (wife of Dr. J. M. Moore, of Midway, Penn.); Jennie V. (Mrs. John McConnell, of Hanover township); Luella (at home); Robert D. (a clerk at McDonald, Penn.); James A. and George G. (both living with their parents). Mr. and Mrs. McCready began wedded life on the place near Hanlin Station, where he worked at his trade, then went to Brooke county, W. Va., thence coming to Jefferson township, this county. He erected a home on a small piece of land which he had purchased in Jefferson township, residing there till 1872, then settled on his present piece of excellent farming land, called the "old Gibson homestead," in Hanover township. He has ever since resided on this tract, being engaged in general farming, small-fruit growing, stock raising and the dairy business, prospering in each department. He votes with the Democratic party, and in religion both he and his wife are members of the U. P. Church.

Text taken from page 1132 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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