 James Bennett McCreary was born in Richmond , Kentucky , on July 8 , 1838 . He was the son of Edmund R. and Sabrina ( Bennett ) McCreary . He obtained his early education in the region 's common schools , then matriculated to Centre College in Danville , Kentucky , where he earned a bachelor 's degree in 1857 . Immediately thereafter , he enrolled at Cumberland University in Lebanon , Tennessee , to study law . In 1859 , he earned a Bachelor of Laws from Cumberland and was valedictorian of his class of forty @-@ seven students ; he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice at Richmond . 
