In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1903) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A Centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio : embellished with portraits of many well known people of Hancock County, who have been or are prominent in its history and development (1903), History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns ... portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history o (1886)
WILLIAM J. CREIGHTON, treasurer of Hancock County, Findlay. was born in Cass Township, this county, May 29, 1847, son of Samuel and Arabella (Gilliland) Creighton, the former of whom, a native of County Down, Ireland, came to this country when a lad, with his parents, who set tied in Allegheny County, Penn., where they died, leaving five sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter survive: David, in California; Ellen, now IVIi-s. McCrea, of Allegheny County, Penn. (she was widow of John McCrea); Samuel, who moved here in 1842 and settled in Cass Township, where he i-eared nine children — four sons and two daughters of whom survive. William J., the sixth child of this family, received a good education, and at seventeen taught school, and was connected with the profession of teaching till 1875. when he moved here and served as clerk in Treasurer Hosier's office during that gentleman's incumbency. Mr. Creighton was a prominent candidate before the convention which nominated Samiiel Howcird. Esq., as treasurer, falling short, but one or two votes. He, however, retired to his farm, and in October, 1882, received the nomination and was elected, and in 1884 was re-elected to his present incumbency. He was married, in 1873, to Martha, daughter of Henry Ebersol. of Washington Township, this county. They have one son and one daughter: David Maurice and Jessie Mable. Mr. Creightou and family attend the services of the Presbyterian Church, the faith of his fathers. He has always taken an active interest in all measures tending to the public weal of his county, and has contributed liberally to matters tending to the advancement of its social and industrial life. In politics he is a Democrat.
As printed in History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns ... portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history o (1886). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
WILLIAM J. CREIGHTON.
The above named gentleman lias long been a familiar feature in the public life of Findlay, owing to his contiimous connection for years with its financial institutions and previous inctimbency of the county treasurer's office. During his tenure of the various responsible positions entmsted to his care, Mr. Creighton has so discharged their duties and so demeaned himself in his intercourse with the people as to be regarded as one of the most substantial and reliable of the citjr's business men. His life story is briefly told and is but the repetition of many similar ones in its main outlines, that of a farmer's boy trained to hard work and the wholesome discipline of the country, afterward utilizing his sturdy virtues to acquire position in the higher walks. Such men are always interesting, as their experiences form a distinct phase of American national life, and it is from such sources that the best blood of the country is recruited.
William J. Creighton was born in Cass township, Hancock county, Oliio, May 29, 1847, id had the usual experience that befalls farm boys. As soon as old enough, of course, he was sent to the neighborhood school, and was expected to "do chores" in the evenings after school hours. When he got to be a boy, he must help with the farm work during vacations, and make himself generally useful in the assistance of his parents. Nor did Mr. Creighton depart from the other immemorial custom of all ambitious rural lads of teaching a term or two as a preparatory course before entering the great world. Accordingly we find Mr. Creighton a pedagogue at the age of seventeen and pursuing this avocation off and on for the next eleven years. At the end of that time he received an offer to enter the office of the treasurer of Hancock county as first deputy and gladly accepted, well knowing that such positions generally-lead to better. He remained in the treasurer's office four years, during which time he completely mastered all of its details, and then returned to the farm while. But he was not allowed to rusticate long, being called from his retreat by receiving the nomination as candidate of his party for the office of county treasurer. After a spirited campaign, in which he proved himself to be a "good mixed," Mr. Creighton was elected and served his term of two years so satisfactorily that he had little difficulty in obtaining another. Accordingly he was re-elected treasurer of Hancock county and finished his second term without mishap or adverse comment. This was Mr. Creighton's last experience of official life, but since retiring from office he has held other positions of responsibility, with different financial institutions. In 1887 he was offered and accepted the position of assistant cashier in the office of the American National Bank at Findlay, and remained about twelve years with that corporation. January i, 1901, he was appointed secretary and treasurer of the Commercial Bank and Savings Company, which position he has since retained and filled with his usual skill and ability. Mr. Creighton's only fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, and he has served that order as representative to the Grand Encampment on two occasions. Mr. Creighton is a Democrat in politics. He was married September l8, 1873, to Miss Martha Ebersole, a native of Hancock county and a daughter of Henry and Margaret Ebersole, Hancock county pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Creighton have two children: David Maurice, proprietor of the Findlay book bindery, and Jessie Mabel, who graduated from Oberlin College in
As printed in A Centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio : embellished with portraits of many well known people of Hancock County, who have been or are prominent in its history and development (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1903. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.