John Barkley McCreary was born on this date in 1861, in South Carolina. His parents were Dr. Judson and Martha Barkley McCreary.
John’s father died when John was young, and he worked on the family farm when he completed his schooling. He had an interest in working with the horses and mules, and developed a livelihood from the sales stables that he established in Salem in 1893. He and W. W. Smoak established the largest livestock business in this part of the country, known as Smoak and McCreary. A photograph of the business, located in the 200 block of S. Church Street, is shown below.
McCreary was elected sheriff of Forsyth County in 1922, and was reelected three times, to serve a total of eight years. He succeeded Sheriff George W. Flynt. He had served briefly as alderman about 12 years prior to his election as sheriff.
McCreary married Ella Ogburn in 1899.
He was an active member of Centenary Methodist Church and he was a life member of the Elks Club.
McCreary passed away in 1943.
Photos courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
