Found in The State 25 March 1898: In the death of Mr. T. A. McCreery, which occurred at his residence at the corner of Senate and Bull streets yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, Columbia lost a valuable citizen. The career of the man shows what pluck and an indomitable will power can accomplish. Having to start life over several times after having more than once launched upon a successful business career, the subject of this sketch finally succeeded in establishing one of the largest, most profitable and successful businesses in South Carolina. At the time of his death he was considered one of the city's leading merchants. Thomas Alexander McCreery was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1820. When he reached his majority he came to the United States and for the first few years of his life was interested in educational work. His first mercantile venture was in Nashville, tenn., where he went in 1845, and was soon afterwards admitted into the dry goods firm of Aiken & Co. of that place. At this time Charleston was on a boom. The future of that city with its excellent harbor was talked of everywhere in business circles. Mr. McCreery, like many others, determined to try his fortune there, so in 1850 he removed to Charleston when it was on its greatest boom. In that city he formed the successful wholesale dry goods firm of Sheppard, McCreery & Co., and for seven years conducted a profitable business. An epidemic of yellow fever, from which Mr. McCreery lost three brothers, caused him to determine to remove to a healthier locality. In 1859 he went to New York and there formed the well known firm of Grayden, McCreery & Co., whose place of business on the corner of Broadway and Worth streets became the headquarters for southern merchants. This firm being successfully started, Mr. McCreery in 1860 married Miss Elizabeth Sherrard of New York and started south on a bridal tour. He, with his yound wife, was in Alabama when hostilities began. There was no direct way to return to New York and in the emergency Mr. McCreery went to Nassau. From there after a circuitous voyage he managed to safely get back, but only to find that his business had been ruined by the war. His firm had catered wholely to the southern dry goods trade and hostilities had cut off their market. Undaunted by this blow Mr. McCreery with his usual decision and determination set to work to build up his ruined fortunes. He started the firm of John McCreery & Co., which conducted a paying business until 1874. In the meantime, in 1867, he had established his brother B. B. McCreery in the firm of W. D. Love & Co., of this city. In 1874 Mr. McCreery came from New York to Columbia and buying out the interest of Mr. Love, changed the firm to that of MrCreery & Bro., now T. A. McCreery & Co. This firm has carried on a large and successful business ever since Mr. McCreery became connected with it, and is today one of the largest dry goods establishments in the State. Its founder gave it an unsurpassed credit standing in the northern markets, which has grown with the success of the firm. Mr. McCreery is the oldest and last of seven brothers. Besides his wife, he leaves several children, Mrs. J. Caldwell Robertson, Mrs. John Melton, Miss Bessie McCreery, Miss Alys McCreery, R. A. McCreery and Joseph McCreery. A sketch of Mr. McCreery would not be complete without a brief mention of some of his philanthropies. He has always looked to the upbuilding of Columbia as the home of his adoption and in many ways contributed to numerous charities. He was the founder of the Second Presbyterian church and has ever since contributed generously to its support. Mr. McCreery leaves a handsome property and besides carried $30,000 insurance on his life. The funeral services will be held at 5 o'clock this afternoon from the family residence and the remains will be interred in Elmwood cemetery.

The photograph was found in the Love Family Tree on Ancestry.com owned by jordanlove630 who appears to have originally downloaded the photo.