James A. Creamer, one of the business leaders of Tolono, has lived in this locality all his life, began his career as a farmer and still owns a large amount of Illinois soil, though most of his time and energies are taken up with local business affairs at Tolono.
Mr. Creamer was born in Tolono Township, February 25, 1870, a son of Ephraim C. and Sarah (Espy) Creamer, his father a native of New Jersey and his mother of Ripley, Ohio. His mother’s father was killed by a stroke of lightning about forty-eight years ago. Ephraim Creamer came to Champaign County about 1857, locating on a farm in Tolono Township and followed farming for a great many years but is now living retired in Tolono. Through his efforts he accumulated a considerable fortune in land. He and his wife had nine children: Mary, deceased; James A.; Edward, who died in 1897, being a graduate of the law department of Wesleyan University at Bloomington; Howard, deceased; Etta, wife of F. E. Williamson, of Urbana; Estella, wife of W. W. Hill, of Tolono; Lyda, wife of Albert McBratney, of Tuscola; William C., who lives on the old home farm; and Charles F., of Tolono Township.
James A. Creamer finished his education with the Tolono High School. He lived at home until twenty-seven, and then took charge of the homestead of 414 acres. After working that for a time he bought eighty acres, sold it and purchased 160 acres east of Tuscola, and finally sold that and is now owner of 867 acres in White County, Illinois.
In 1908 Mr. Creamer engaged in business at Tolono as a grain merchant with A. H. Edwards. After a year he took over the elevator, ‘ of which he is now sole proprietor. The elevator has a capacity of 40,000 bushels and it is the center of a flourishing grain trade. Mr. Creamer also owns the local garage and has the agency for the Overland, Hudson, Studebaker and Ford cars. With Mr. J. A. Hines as a partner he conducts an undertaking establishment. All his affairs have prospered and he is rightly considered one of the leading men of Tolono.
On February 18, 1897, Mr. Creamer married Miss Mattie Moore, of Pesotum. They have two children: Carl M., born May 1, 1901; and Helen Alma, born April 28, 1903. Mr. Creamer is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Masonic Order and an active Presbyterian, having served as superintendent of the Sunday school three years.