THE PIONEERS
Our Oldest Citizens, Who Made This Country What It Is
A Union Veteran, and Ex-Mayor, A Justice of the Peace And Good Citizen
The Creaths are descendants of a Scotch-Irish family that, at an early date, located in the Carolinas, and left their characteristic impress on the institutions of the new colony. All of the great-grandfather's family, with a single exception, were preachers, being originally Presbyterians. However, through the influence of enviroment, after living in Kentucky, some of the family adopted the faith promulgated by Alexander Campbell, variously called New Lights, Disciples, Campbellites and Christians.
Robert S. Creath, the grandfather of Squire Creath, came from Kentucky in 1803 and entered a half section of land, on Laughery creek, six miles below Versailles, near the present site of Olean. That land being in the bottoms of the creek, a flood plain formed in an early period by the wash-off of the neighboring hills, is for fertility, unexcelled by any land in the state. He found this land in the woods, which consisted of walnut and sugar tree. Here he, by the aid of his boys, cleared a farm on which he reared a family of thirteen children.
James A. Creath, the father of our subject, was married April 7, 1836, to Lusetta M. Weatherby, and continued to live on the home farm a few years, until two children had been born. He then moved to lands that he had purchased, one mile west of Holton. Here he lived till the time of his death in 1866. He was engaged, besides the management of his farm, in buying and selling western lands, and contracted the smallpox at Peoria, Illinois, and was taken to a hospital at Centralia, Illinois, where he died. The mother died February 26, 1887, at Hazel Dell, Illinois, at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Lusetta Patrick. This family consisted of thirteen children, all of whom are dead except four. Those living are Almon S. Creath, Oliver P. Creath and Miss Martha E. Creath, of this city, and Daniel L. Creath, of Lebanon. Of those dead, Ann married Ed Evans, a well known farmer of Jackson township; Amy married William Barkley, of New Point; Isaac married a daughter of John B. Evans, of Sandcreek township. Other members of the family died in early years, and some in Illinois.
Almon Creath, our subject, was taken by his father to Holton, in the spring of 1840, which locality was his home until 1865. He grew up on the farm and had the usual experience of a boy brought up to a life of industry. His opportunities for getting an education were limited. He was not even afforded the full benefits of the short terms, as his services were needed on the farm. However, he learned to spell and read, and with that for a foundation has, by his own efforts, added a fund of general information. He is a careful student of current events, and a general reader.
He was married November 18, 1860, to Miss Emma Williamson, a daughter of Benjamin Williamson, a farmer living near Versailles. Before a year of happy life had expired, in August, 1861, he responded to the call of arms and parted from his bride for the last time. She died May 9, 1863, and the sad tidings of her death reached him in camp at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was again married November 24, 1870 to Miss Clara A. Hice, a daughter of Hugh Hice, a well known famrer of Jackson township. She died December 4, 1872. To this union was born one child, a daughter, Clara, who married J. John James, and they are living at Greely, Colorado. He is a well-to-do ranchman, worth perhaps $60,000.
He was next married to Miss Rachel E. Kelly, of Ripley county, March 3, 1875. She died October 26, 1893, at the present home, South Broadway. Before her death. Mr. and Mrs. Creath had adopted two children. The first was Court G. Creath, now a responsible employe of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad, being a conductor, and living at Findlay, Illinois. The second was Miss Bessie F. Creath, who lives at Morrow, Ohio, with Mrs. Anna E. Roach, a sister of the late Mrs. Creath.
Mr. Creath lived at Holton till 1861, when he went into the army. After the war he came to Decatur county and located at Forest Hill. He remained there till January 1, 1871, when he located at Clarksburg. He came to Greensburg in November 1879, and has since made his home in this city. His business in Ripley county had been principally that of a farmer, but he had engaged in the hay-pressing business. After coming to this county, he became a dealer in pumps, which he continued to follow for many years.
Soon after coming to Greensburg he was elected justice of the peace. He served as mayor of the city from 1887 till 1889, an soon after retiring from the mayor's office he was again elected to the office of justice of the peace, a position which he still holds. Squire Creath's court had been the scene of many law suits, and several of our younger lawyers got their first lessons at his bar.
His record as a soldier is one that does him credit. He enlisted August 8, 1861, in Company K., Sixth Regiment of Indiana Infantry. His service extended over three long years in the very midst of active operations. He went with Buell's command to retrieve the day at Pittsburg Landing and won the victory at Shiloh. He was in all the campaigns that followed. He was at Corinth; he was in the Bragg-Buell race for Louisville; he was at Raccoon Ridge; he was at Chickamauga; he was at the rescue of Burnside at Knoxville, and Strawberry Plains; he went with Sherman as far as Atlanta, and there his term of service having expired, the regiment was brought back to Indianapolis and discharged September 22, 1863.
He is a member of "Pap" Thomas Post, No. 5. He has filled various offices in the Post, and is now the Quarter Master, a most important position which he fills with credit. He is Colonel of the Union Veteran Legion, No. 160, of which he is a charter member. To be a member of this organization requires that the veteran must have served two continuous years in same command unless discharged for wounds received in line of duty.
Mr. Creath is a Royal Arch Mason, a charter member of the order of the Eastern Star, a Past Grand of the Odd Fellows, membership formerly of Clarksburg. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Squire Creath is a genial friend, a good conversationalist, and has many friends who find a welcome whenever they call at his office between business hours.
