Mr. McCrea, who is a hardware merchant of Kendrick, and one of the early settlers of the town, dates his residence here from August 1891. A native of Minnesota, he was born February 10. 1862, and is of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors having been early settlers of New Brunswick. His parents were both natives of that country, and were reared, married and educated there. The father was Andrew McCrea and the mother bore the maiden name of Lydia Jane Murphy. Soon after their marriage they removed to Minnesota, where Andrew McCrea became a prominent lumberman. He was a gentleman of ability and influence and served as a member of the Minnesota legislature, both in the house and senate. Later in life he removed to Spokane, Washington, where he was connected with the Great Northern Railroad Company until his death, which occurred in 1894, at the age of sixty-one years. His wife departed this life in 1876, at the age of forty-seven years. They had a family of ten children, eight of whom are living.
Donald S. McCrea, the fifth in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of his native state, and there learned the hardware business. In 1881, at Warren, Minnesota, he established a store of his own in that line, conducting the same for three years, when he removed to Rockford, Washington, where he carried on a hardware store for eight years. On the expiration of that period he came to Kendrick, in 1891, and organized the hardware firm of McCrea Brothers & Company. After some time he bought out his partners, and is now the sole owner of the business. He has a good brick store building, in the center of the business district, and by close attention to his store, by honorable dealing and by courteous treatment of his patrons he has secured a large and constantly growing trade which extends all over the rich Potlatch country and even comes from a distance of sixty-five miles. He carries a large stock of shelf and heavy hardware, doors, window-glass, iron, steel, farming implements and coal, and his sales have now reached a very desirable volume. In addition to his store building he has a large warehouse, in which to place the stock until needed.
Mr. McCrea exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican Party, and has served as a member of the city council of Kendrick. He has been a trustee in the Knights of Pythias lodge and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World. He was married, in 1883 to Miss Dora M. Davies, a native of Wisconsin, but after three years of happy married life she was called to the home beyond, leaving a beautiful little daughter, Dora Viola, who is now attending school at Spokane. Mrs. McCrea was a most estimable lady, and her many admirable qualities endeared her to all who knew her. Mr. McCrea has maintained a most honorable record throughout the whole of his business career, as well as in private life, and is a useful and popular citizen of Kendrick. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well. His honorable methods and indefatigable industry formed the foundation of the structure, which is substantial and enduring.