J. H. CREIGHTON

CREIGHTON, HEDGES, STAIGE

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/9/2009 at 17:39:58

J. H. CREIGHTON, merchant, and Postmaster of Oakville, Iowa, was born in this county, in 1844, and is a son of W. H. and Emily (Hedges) Creighton, both of whom were natives of Ohio. W. H. Creighton came to this county in the fall of 1835, being among its very earliest pioneers, and settled on section 35, Elliot Township, where he laid claim to 640 acres of land. When he came to this county he moved into an Indian wigwam, which was made of bark, and there lived until a cabin could be erected. He purchased his land at the Government land sale in 1838, and during his entire residence in this county was always one of its honored citizens, ever willing to aid in the advancement of the county or forward any enterprise which had for its object the public good.

Our subject has passed almost his entire life in Louisa County, and remained under the parental roof until the 7th of August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, 30th Iowa Infantry, as a musician. He served until June 13, 1865, and participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post,Grand Gulf, Jackson, Miss., the siege of Vicksburg, where he was under fire forty-two days, the second battle of Jackson, Miss., Black River, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, and the entire Atlanta campaign, ninety days of which he was under fire. He was with Sherman on the far- famed march to the sea, during which he engaged in the battles of Columbia, Macon, Ga., Benton- ville, Kenesaw Mountain, and was mustered out of service June 5, 1865, at Washington, D. C.

After his discharge Mr. Creighton returned to Louisa County, and worked for his father for about three years, and then purchased some of his land. On the 22d of November following his return from the battle-fields of the South, our subject was united in marriage with Sarah E. Staige, a native of Louisa County, and a daughter of James E. Staige, who was born in the Buckeye State.

Mr. Creighton's first purchase of land consisted of 100 acres on section 35, Elliot Township, where he made his home until 1886, since which time he has resided in Oakville. He is now the owner of 260 acres of fine, arable land, in addition to considerable town property, including his store and residence in Oakville. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and also of the G. A. R. Post. Politically, he is a Republican, and one of the stalwart supporters of the party. In 1884 Mr. Creighton was appointed Postmaster of Oakville, and in 1886 established his present business.

To our subject and his excellent wife have been born seven children: Charles E., Mary Jane, William H. and Emily I., are all at home; James Edward died at the age of eighteen months; John T. and Joseph F. are also with their parents.

Source: Source: Portraits and Biographies copyrighted by Chapman Bros. 1885