Biography of
Walker W. McCreery

p. 1286
 

     Mr. McCreery was an agriculturist and lived on and cultivated the same farm all his life. He was a man who took a leading part in public affairs and was widely known, having been a member of the county board of supervisors for many years and post­master at Cave Post Office for forty years and until that office was abandoned. He was of Republican political faith. His business affairs were carefully conducted and at the time of his death, on January 7, 1892, he was well fixed financially. His wife survived him many years and died in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. McCreery were both devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, were people of high moral principles and their passing was mourned by a large circle of friends who held them in the highest respect and esteem.

     Walker W. McCreery received his education in the common schools of Franklin county, but these were of the best class, with superior teachers, and when he ceased his studies he was possessed of more than the average learning. He had spent his life as a boy and young man on the farm, but in starting out on an independent business career chose to engage in livery work and made his initial venture in that business at Thompsonville. In 1886 he located at Benton, conducting a livery stable for a time and later engaging in the lumber business, at first with J. T. Chenault, but subsequently buying out the latter’s interest and becoming sole owner of the business. Flattering success was his and by judicious investment and the exercise of excellent business foresight he was able to accumulate large financial interests. He retired from the lumber business and erected the McCreery Block, an extensive property in which is located the McCreery Hotel, the postoffice, a drug store and a large number of fine up-to-date offices. Mr. McCreery conducted the hotel that bears his name for one year, but has since leased it to other parties.

     In 1909 he further added to his already large holdings by purchasing the Benton Flour Mills, a large plant with capacity for producing one hundred and twenty-five barrels per day, and the product of these mills is shipped not only to all points in Illinois, but enters into interstate commerce extensively. Besides his city properties Mr. McCreery has some valuable farm holdings and is, altogether, rated as one of the wealthiest men of this section. He has lately made some large investments near Rosewood, New Mexico, and will probably spend the winters there. His success is but the natural result of the exercise of the superior business talents he possesses in the conduct of his commercial and industrial operations. A man of great capacities, he produces large and important results in whatever line of endeavor he elects to devote his time and attention.