Creager, William Henry

FRIES, KRAUSE, MUNGER, CHURCHILL

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/16/2010 at 11:25:55

When Willliam Henry Creager died upon his farm in Sumner township on the 8th of March, 1913, Bremer county lost one of its most valued and representative citizens - a man who for over a quarter of a century had lived within its borders and contributed substantially to its growth and development. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1842, and he grew to manhood in New Oxford, that state. When he was twenty-one years of age he moved to Lancaster, Wisconsin, working at the millwright trade and there remained until 1870, when he went to Millville, where he resided for one year. At the end of that time he moved to Bremer county, Iowa, and engaged in farming and after remaining here two years moved to Sherrill's Mound, Dubuque county, where he engaged in millwrighting for nine years. In 1884 he returned to this part of the state and purchased two hundred acres of land in Sumner township, turning his attention to its improvement and development. He erected two residences upon the place and substantial barns and outbuildings and he concentrated his attention upon general farming and pure-bred stock-raising for many years. Eventually he became interested in the nursery business in 1892 and set aside twenty acres of his farm, establishing the Sumner Nursery, which he managed with the assistance of his sons until his death, which occurred March 8, 1913. He had obtained recognition as a farsighted, energetic and resourceful business man and his passing was felt as a distinct loss in agricultural, horticultural and business circles.

In Dubuque county, Iowa, Mr. Creager married Miss Amalia Fries, October 24, 1870, and they became the parents of seven children. Robert E. married Nettie Krause, and they reside in Newport, Washington, and have one daughter. Martin F. is engaged in the hotel business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Arthur W., resides upon the home farm. Georgia A. died in infancy. Warren O., engaged in the nursery business, married Miss Georgia E. Munger, and they have three children. Florence L. lives at home and is engaged in teaching and designing dressmaking. Harry T. married Miss Nina Churchill. He is assisting his brother Arthur in the operation of the home farm. Mrs. Creager still resides upon the homstead and is widely and favorably known in this locality.

William Henry Creager was a man of marked force of character, pronounced in his views and habits of life, a philospher, a thinker and an interesting conversationalist, and his influence was always on the side of right, reform and progress. His life was ever upright and honorable and his death was a distinct loss to the community which numbered him among its representative and able men.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914