William Henry was the fourth child of eleven born to Emanuel and Mary Jane Creager. He grew up, with his ten brothers and sisters on their parent’s farm east of Greenville, Ohio, in Darke, County, Adams Township. He returned to Ohio with his parents in the late 1860s and lived near Farmersville when he met Lydia S. Wiles. William was twenty-eight and Lydia was nineteen when they were married by Rev. David Winters on September 25, 1872.
Lydia’s parents, Mary Elizabeth Funk and John Henry Wiles, were married July 25, 1844 by Rev. S. H. Harkey. She was born July 20, 1823 and he April 16, 1826. The Wiles had five children: Nelson Americus, born October 24, 1845; Hannah Elizabeth, born May 14, 1847; Anna Savilla, born April 16, 1849; Mary Ellin, born April 16, 1851;, and Lydia. Lydia’s parents and the five children were born in Frederick County, Maryland. (Information came from Mary
William and Lydia lived in downtown Farmersville when their two sons Arthur and Edward were born. The family later moved Perry Township near Brookville, Ohio, where their sons grew up (see Montgomery County map on page 36). William and Lydia were living at a little crossroads called Stillwater Junction at the time of Lydia’s death at the age of 59. Eight years later, on December 22, 1904. William held a public auction at the small farm where he lived. He then made his home with his two sons until his death April 2, 1926.
My Grandma Creager died eight years before I was born, so I knew her only through pictures. A large oval picture of her, in a gold frame, always hung on the wall in our “parlor” over the loveseat. Pictures of Grandma and Grandpa together show them as a very distinguished looking couple in their younger days. She must have been very close to her three sisters as I have often heard “Aunt Lizzie”, “Aunt Ellie:, and “Aunt Annie” mentioned in conversation in our home. They were all four attractive ladies who dressed very stylish. My mother had kept some of Grandma’s beautiful clothes in a long chest in a wardrobe upstairs and at spring house cleaning time she would take them out and show them to me. They made quite an impression on me as a little girl, as I can still see those pretty dresses with much lace, braid and embroidery, the velvet jackets with leg-o-mutton sleeves with rows of covered buttons to the elbow, her beaded hand bags, etc.
Grandpa Creager died when I was five years old so I really recall little of him, even though he lived at our house. Perhaps my best recollection is the sack he would bring home from town, for my brother Ralph and I. He would hang his coat, on a hook, just out of our reach in the kitchen leaving the top of the sack showing from the pocket! He would then ration it out to us over a long period with much begging and fussing between times. He was a tall quiet man with a beard. We would sit in the rocker beside the stove in the dining room and when he would doze - I can remember my brother and I sneaking up an pulling his beard to waken him. His funeral was on as Easter Sunday at our house and I remember the crowd of people and someone singing “In The Garden” and “The Old Rugged Cross”. Well over a half century later, whenever I hear those two hymns, I think of my Grandpa Creager.
Arthur was the first son born to William Henry and Lydia Creager. He was born in Farmersville, Ohio, April 10, 1874. While a young lad, his family moved to the West Alexandria vicinity where he attended school, graduating from the West Alexandria High School in the class of 1894, which had five graduates!
Art was always known for his sense of humor and the ability to express himself in a comical and witty manner. He was samll in stature, but, had a "large" voice. As a young man, he and three ofhis friends formed a quartet in which he sang First Tenor. They were known as the Sterling Quartette and became quite popular, singing at many social functions in the area.
He learned the trade of a barber and continued in that business most of his life. He had his own barber shop in Brookville, Ohio, whith a large clientele until fire destroyed many of the business places including Art's Barber Shop.
Shortly after, they sold their home on the corner of Maple and McKinley Street, and he moved his family into a shop in West Alexandria.
For a number of years, every Sunday morning was his visiting time with his brother, Edward, on the farm.
A. A. Creager was confined to the house the latter part of last week with what was said to be a full fledged case of mumps. Poor boy. |
Mr. Arthur Creager enjoyed a vacation last week and spent time among his relatives in Berlin, Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Dadsville and Scuffletown. |
The Sterling Quartette, who so ably displayed their talent at the Farmer’s Institute, again displayed their abilities Sunday at the Reliance Club, Dayton [Montgomery Co., Ohio]. We wish to congratulate our friend Mr. Creager, who is one of the members of the quartet, who were applauded again and again yesterday. (Dayton Journal) |
The Sterling Quartet is practicing for commencement season. Everybody delights to hear them either in their comic, sentimental or sacred songs. |
The result of a bad cold caused Arthur Creager’s voice to sound like he had hung it out in the rain. |
Our community was somewhat surprised last Thursday by the marriage of Arthur Creager and Miss Gussie Diefenbaugh both of this place. The affair took place at the home of Rev. Keller. |
At the Parsonage West Alexandria, Ohio, January 24, 1895 by Rev. R. Keller, Mr. Arthur A. Creager and Miss Gussie Diefenbaugh both of West Alexandria. |
Mrs. Arthur Creager visited relatives at Lewisburg the first of the week. Art soon grew tired of batching and hied himself thither Saturday evening accompanied by Miss Alice Kendig and remained over Sunday. |
Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Creager attended the Creager family reunion held in Eaton Thursday, August 16th. Mrs. Creager will go from Eaton to Indiana to visit a couple of weeks with her sister. |
A. A. Creager wheeled from Middletown, Indiana Monday. Mrs. Creager returned home Tuesday. |
Mrs. A. A. Creager, who has been very ill for the past ten days with an attack of appendicitis, is very much improved. |
A. A. Creager purchased the Dalby & Miller barber shop in Brookville and took possession Tuesday. Mr. Creager has been in the employ of F. Swartzel two years, and has proven to be a good barber. He is a vocalist of considerable talent and has been a member of the Sterling Quartet since its organization. His many friends here wish him success. |
Mr. A. A. Creager went to Springfield and Columbia Monday and returned on Tuesday with some hair restorer. |
A. A. Creager returned from Winchester, Indiana on Tuesday morning. Mr. Creager went there Sunday to meet his family and to bring them home. “Artie” says Indiana is a great state as cigarettes are not allowed to be exposed for sale there to tempt the weak minded. “So says Artie.” |
Well – Well – A. A. Creager had a smile on his face Monday morning that would put to shame the Ancient Huns of France. J. A. Roselius has a new postal clerk. Tom Boner is fearful that he will be out of a job, while J. H. Ehler, Jr. consoles himself with the plaintive strain, “I am alone in the world”, all on account that a bouncing baby boy came Sunday night to bless the house of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Creager. Mother and child are doing nicely. |
A. A. Creager, the George Washington of Brookville, admitted to your reporter that he told a lie last week in regard to his trip to Winchester, Indiana. “Artie” went to the National Theatre in Dayton instead of making the trip we reported in last week’s issue. “Little Georgies” conscience troubled him so he had to “fess up.” |
A. A. Creager, sole owner and manager of the Creager Barber Shop, had an extra ordinary run of hard lick last week and issues the following card to relieve himself of his misfortune. Poor Artie! |
IN THE COUNTRY A. A. Creager moved his Tonsorial equipment Tuesday into his new quarters in the Sandford and Marshal building. Arth now has one of the very finest barber shops in the country. |
We note that A. A. Creager, the progressive barber, has added another chair to his already up-to-date and finely equipped barber shop. With this addition, the shop will have four chairs. This addition has been found necessary on account of the constant increase in patronage since Mr. Creager’s coming to Brookville some six years ago. |
Mr. Keith Creager, John C. Wright and father spent Sunday at the home of Omer Slyder in Trotwood. |
Born to Mr. & Mrs. A. A. Creager Saturday last, a 9 lb. girl. |
Sunday morning at about nine o’clock, the little three year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. A. Creager, Hay Avenue, fell from a high chair breaking the right arm just above the elbow. The little one soon quit crying and it was not thought by the parents that the child was injured. They drove to Lewisburg to visit relatives but became alarmed over the condition of the little one by its incessant crying after there arrival. Cutting their visit short they returned home and took the baby to the office of D. Miller who found the arm fractured as above stated. (Myra Creager Lange) |
To Mr. & Mrs. A. A. Creager last Thursday a bouncing healthy 10 lb. girl. May the thorns of life never beset its pathway. |
Rev. N. H. Royer baptized two infants – one of them was Lois Maurine Creager and Mrs. Augusta Creager was received into church membership. |
WHICH AT ONE TIME THREATENED TO DESTROY ENTIRE BUSINESS SECTION. A fire which originated in Sanford and Marshal’s Drug Store at Brookville Friday night about 10:30 o’clock destroyed from $15,000 to $20,000 worth of property and for a time threatened destruction of the entire town. |
Guy Creager is a typhoid. |
The corner of Maple and McKinley streets is a busy place at present. Excavators, masons and carpenters are active in the erection of houses for Messrs. Jesse Rasor, Arthur Creager, Allen Somers and Elgar Weaver. |
Guy and Keith Creager are spending a few days with their mother at Yellow Springs, Ohio. (dated August 6, 1910) |
I. Kendal Guy Creager
Born – September 27, 1896
See page 65 for Guy’s biography and family lineal history.)
II. Hubert Keith Creager
Born – December 24, 1897
(See page 68 for Hubert’s biography and family lineal history.)
III. Myra Muriel Creager
Born – December 23, 1899
(See page 70 for Myra’s biography and family lineal history.)
IV. Lois Maurine Creager
Born – March 9, 1905
(See page 71 for Lois’s biography and family lineal history.)
Introduction The Creager History and Pages i. to vi. |
Title Page and Pages 1 to 10 |
Pages 10 to 23 |
Pages 24 to 34 |
Pages 35 to 43 |
Pages 44 to 47 |
Pages 48 to 53 |
Pages 54 to 64 |
Pages 65 to 72 |
Pages 73 to 80 |
Pages 81 to 88 |
Pages 89 to 107 |
All FAMILY LINEAL HISTORIES as given in Irene (Creager) Lawson's Manuscript/Book will not be presented in the online text, but they will be incorporated and accessible within the DESCENDANTS of ERNST KRIEGER...GEDCOM on WorldConnect. An attempt will be made to list those living as "LIVING" without vital information being presented. |