Her parents were both amateur musicians who ran a drapery business.
Her family had made their money in the drapery business, and by buying the estate avoided the collapse of the textile industry.
One of four children, Cremin was born to a family that operated a drapery business.
His son, Isidore, went on to develop the drapery business and to create a large, fashionable, store.
At this time Kathleen had started a drapery business having previously begun an apprenticeship.
After a short spell as an insurance agent he ran a small drapery business in the town.
The drapery business relocated to Nancy in 1828 and so did the family.
In 1836, Candlish's commercial career began when he became a partner in a drapery business.
Following his brother's death in 1831, he became much more involved with the newspaper, giving up the drapery business.
He retired soon after, aged 45, from the drapery business.