Creager Family

The ancestors of the Creager's came to America from the Palantines area of Germany, near Heidelberg in 1730. They sailed aboard the ship "Thistle" of Glasgow. The master of ship was a Colin Dunlap from Rotterdam. The ship landed in Philadelphia Aug. 29th, 1730.

Casper Creager was born about 1697 in Heidelberg, Germany. He married the former Christina Stehi and they were the parents of eight children. The children were Valentine, Christian, Conrad, Adam, Michael, George, Henry and Catherine.

When Casper, arrived in the new world he purchased land in Philadelphia, County Penn. He continued to buy land in Pennsylvania until about 1751. At that time he sold all his holdings and returned to his homeland. He came back to America in 1752 aboard the ship "Snow Louisa". In 1754 he purchased land in Maryland near Walkersville and Israel's creek, along the glades of the Monocacy river. Casper served in the French & Indian war. He also was a member of the "Committee of Observation" from 1775-76 as were five of his sons.

One of Casper's sons Conrad is an ancestor of some of the present Henry Co. Creagers. Conrad was a member of the "Committee of Observation". He also was a soldier in Capt. DeLashmutt's Co. in the French & Indian war. He was paid 1 pound and 10 shillings for 240 days of service. Conrad married the former Anna Maria Eader. They were the parents of several children one of which was a son Cornelius. Cornelius was born 26th Nov. 1763 in Fredrick, Md. On Nov. 26th, 1809 he married Mary Gethar. They moved to Montgomery Co., Dayton, Ohio in 1812 where he was a farmer and school teacher. They were the parents of ten children. He died in Seneca Co., Ohio about 1840, his wife died in 1866.

Gideon Creager a son of Cornelius also was a teacher and farmer. He lived in Seneca Co. area with his wife the former Christina Shonkwiler. In 1852 they loaded their possessions onto a wagon drawn by oxen and traveled to Henry Co., Ohio the trip taking five days. They purchased land at $2.50 per acre the land being located near the present Rt. 6 west of McClure, Ohio. They built a log cabin and cleared the land. In time they cultivated it into one of the finest farms of the area, the family numbered 13.

The children were Harrietta, Jeminah, Daniel, Benjamin, Caroline, Oscar, DeLoss, Margaret, Oren, Sheldon, Verona, Mary and Clement. Many of these children of Gideon have descendants living in Henry Co. and adjoining counties today. At present there are three grandchildren still living: Ethel Creager Hess, daughter of Oren Creager, Lawerence Creager and Ruth Creager Jewell the children of Clement Creager.

One of the sons of Gideon, Benjamin grew to manhood in the McClure area. Benjamin Creager married the former Mary Ellen Fisher and they were the parents of Allen, Daniel, Etta & Gideon. Benjamin was killed in a logging accident the 11th of Feb., 1883 in Monroe Twp., he was 38. His widow was left with the four small children. She later remarried and had another son, Harvey Harmon. The children of Benjamin all lived in the Henry Co. area except for Gideon who went west and settled in the state of South Dakota.

Daniel being of special interest to this writer was my father. Daniel (Jake) as he was known to his family and friends was born Nov. 7th, 1876 in Harrison Twp. at an early age he made his home with neighbors and attended school thru the winter months at Fisher and Randall Hill Schools. He later owned and operated a well drilling outfit and drilled many wells in the area.

On Oct. 23, 1895 he married Elmyna (Ella) Thompson daughter of Chester H. and Almira Thompson. Jake and Ella resided on the farm south of Grelton, much of which wasn't cleared. They cleared the rest of the land and Grandfather Thompson built the family home. This was the family home where they lived and worked the rest of their lives. Jake was active in the local community. He was a member of the Grelton Special School district and later the Malinta-Grelton school board. An expression I'm sure that would fit both of their lives would be expressed as a certain poem states, "Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man".

Their family of seven children attended school and church at Grelton. The oldest son Clyde, born 1896, lives in Toledo, Ohio. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served overseas in W.W. I. He also served in the army of occupation in Germany. He retired after 35 years with the community Traction Co. of Toledo. His wife LaVersa died in 1937, Viva Jean in 1964 and Golda in 1977. He has no children.

Inice married Ralph Eaton and they moved to Harrison, Mich. in 1920. They farmed and were active in the V.F.W. He was wounded in battle in 1918. They have six children Charles — 1920, Ruth — 1923, Howard — 1925, Chester — 1927-63, Esther — 1923, Bruce — 1936-41. She lives in Harrison, Mich. Neva — 1902, married Oscar Busch in 1921, they have lived the most of their lives in the McClure area. They farmed and worked for the Damascus School district. Their family are Marjorie — 1922, Mary Ella — 1923, Bob — 1925, Wylie — 1927-74, Dorothy — 1929, Clair — 1930, Victor — 1942-42.

Chester — 1905-1956 married the former Mary Knoll and they are the parents of two sons Bill — 1933, Thomas — 1948. He was a farmer most of his life living in the Napoleon and Malinta-Grelton area. His wife lives in Malinta.

Edna — 1909 married Lauren Snively in 1928. The daughters are Carolyn -- 1929, Neva — 1935-35 and son Larry — 1937. A later marriage to Nicholas Pfannes 1909-77, she lives at Evart, Mich.

Wilson — 1914-1974 married Gladys Franz and she makes her home in Danville, Mich. The children being Susan — 1942, Ellen — 1944, Janice — 1945, Bonita — 1948, Donald — 1955, Jackie — 1962.

Leah — 1920 lives at Harrison, Mich. with her husband Roland J. Ulch. They have three sons Alan — 1937, Jackie — 1940, Curtis — 1950.

At the present account the family of Jake and Ella would consist of five living children two deceased 26, grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and 18 great, great. They are living all across these United States. They are exploring new frontiers the same as Casper did some 248 years ago.

Submitted by: Neva Creager Busch