Kreevich was born in Mount Olive, Illinois. He started working in coal mines in late 1924 at the age of 16. Although short of stature (five feet and seven and a half inches tall), he developed a muscular physique while coal mining for almost five years.
Born in Mount Olive, Illinois, Kreevich started his career in coal mines in the latter part of 1924 at age sixteen. Despite his height limitations (five feet and seven and a half inches tall), he built considerable muscle strength over almost five years working underground.