David B. McCreary
David Berkley McCreary was an American politician and lawyer from Pennsylvania.
Early life
David Berkley McCreary was born on February 27, 1826, in Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, to Lydia and Joseph F. McCreary. His father was a farmer. He attended common schools in Millcreek Township and then Erie Academy. He attended Washington College from 1848 to 1849.McCreary worked as a teacher in Erie County and in Kentucky. He was admitted to the bar in 1851.
Career
McCreary worked as a lawyer from 1851 until the outbreak of the Civil War.McCreary enlisted with the Wayne Guards under John W. McLane. He served in company B of the 145th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment from 1862 to 1865. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1862, became captain of company D of the regiment, and later lieutenant colonel. He was prisoner of war for 10 months from 1864 to 1865 at Libby, Mason, Charleston and Columbia prisons. He attained the rank of colonel and was brevetted brigadier general. He was mustered out on May 31, 1865.
McCreary was elected as a Republican to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented Erie County from 1866 to 1867 and in 1870. He was adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1867 to 1870. He was elected as a Republican and served in the Pennsylvania Senate, representing the 49th district from 1889 to 1896. He served on the congressional apportionment, insurance, general judiciary, library, military affairs, and mines and mining committees. He was chairman of the special judiciary committee.
Following the war, McCreary continued practicing law until 1906. He start the firm McCreary and Clark with his son-in-law Henry Alden Clark. He was trustee of Dixmont State Hospital for six years.
Personal life
McCreary married Annette Julia Gunnison, daughter of E. D. Gunnison. His wife died in 1893. They had a daughter and son, Sophy Gertrude and Wirt. His daughter married Pennsylvania politician Henry Alden Clark.McCreary died on February 4, 1906, at the home of his daughter in Erie. He was buried in Erie Cemetery.