Edward Creighton
Encyclopedia
Edward Creighton was a prominent pioneer
businessman in early Omaha
, Nebraska
. The brother of John A. Creighton
, the Creightons were responsible for founding many institutions that were central to the growth and development of Omaha. Married to Mary Creighton in their native Dayton, Ohio
, Edward relied on Mary to carry out his request to create a college, which eventually became Creighton University
.
, Ohio
in 1820. In the 1840s, he became involved in the freight shipping and telegraph businesses; by 1856, he had become one of the largest builders of telegraph lines in the United States. He married Mary Lucretia Wareham
in Dayton, Ohio
on October 7, 1856; the couple moved to Omaha after their wedding. He quickly became involved in several business ventures in Omaha, including wagon freighting, merchandising, real estate, banking, railroading and ranching.
In the winter of 1860-61, Creighton surveyed the route of the proposed Transcontinental Telegraph
line between Omaha and Sacramento
, to be built with the financial support of Western Union
. He dug the first post hole for the telegraph line on July 2, 1861; the line was completed on October 24 of that year. During this expedition, Creighton established friendly relationships with a number of tribes along the route. Throughout his life, Creighton championed the cause of native Americans and repeatedly spoke out against their mistreatment. This stance brought him into conflict with the US Army as well as local politicians including his brother, John. Although a devout Catholic, Creighton objected to the manner in which mission schools tried to indoctrinate Indians and suppress their spirituality and culture. He would attend traditional Indian ceremonies and had a large collection of artifacts some of which he would display in the lobby of the banks he owned. This was considered scandalous behavior for the times as was Creighton's habit of hosting horse races on Sunday where beer was served up to his friends and workers. Creighton was also ostracized for having friends and business partners who were Jews and Mormons. Creighton repeatedly rebuffed efforts by others to have him run for office. He despised politicians, particularly the ones in Nebraska, and refused to fund a law school while he was alive replying "I am too fond of the city of Omaha and its populace to ever be a party to the creation of such a den of scoundrels in their midst"
Creighton then turned his attention to banking and railroading. He served as the first president of First National Bank of Omaha
and was one of the founders of the Omaha and Northwestern Railroad. The Creighton brothers invested heavily in the Union Pacific Railroad which ran a route parallel to their telegraph line. The Creighton brothers knew both Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas both of whom had stated their desire to construct a trans continental railroad. Edward fought unsuccessfully for Omaha's selection as the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad
(an honor given to Council Bluffs
, Iowa
). A high ranking railroad official touring early Omaha had been beaten and robbed and the city was considered to be too wild and corrupt for such a venture. During the Civil War, the Creighton brothers were staunch abolitionists and vocally pro-Union. They raised volunteer regiments in Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio to fight for Mr. Lincoln. John worked in the quartermaster corp and was responsible for stringing telegraph lines between the War office and the mobile fronts. Edward had been told to stay out of Southeast Nebraska and NW Missouri due to threats made against him by Confederate sympathizers who controlled these areas. After the armistice, The Creighton's bought up parcels of land along the railroad route and opened cattle ranches. They began to ship their cattle to Omaha and markets in Kansas. John Creighton opened the first packing plant on land he owned in South Omaha which became the nucleus for the city's huge food processing industry. They encouraged Irish and German immigrants to settle along the route by building Catholic and Lutheran churches along the right of way and seeing to it that the local Indian tribes were placated. All their business ventures thrived and the brothers amassed a considerable fortune. For his church building and other services, John was made a Count of the Catholic Church and given a titled estate on Vatican held lands outside Naples. John took this new title seriously and would often go about the muddy streets of Omaha wearing a sash and a sword to the open scorn and ridicule of his brother.
had its beginning in 1887 when Erastus Benson
purchased farm land from Edward Creighton. Both Creighton brothers contributed heavily to social and educational causes in the Omaha area. The Creightons provided the land and buildings for a medical school and were instrumental in bringing doctors from back east. Edward provided the funds for an order of hospital nuns to come to Omaha in the 1860s and a second order shortly thereafter. St. Catherine's and St. Joseph's hospitals were built and staffed as a result of their support. John Creighton also contributed heavily to the construction of a Methodist hospital. St. Joseph's entered into a working relationship with the burgeoning railroads in the area and at one time was the largest hospital west of Chicago. After Edward's death, his widow oversaw a further expansion and the hospital was officially renamed as the Creighton Brothers St. Joseph's hospital. It was the prime teaching hospital for the city based medical school which was incorporated into Creighton University in the 1890s.
The present day route of Interstate 80 runs along the course taken by Edward Creighton's telegraph line.
After Creighton's death in 1874, a portion of his estate was used to establish Creighton College, known today as Creighton University
. Creighton is a member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame
and the Nebraska Hall of Fame
.
In 1905 the Edward Creighton Institute was built at 210 South 18th Street in downtown Omaha. Named in honor of Creighton, it served as the home of Creighton University
's law and dental schools from 1905 to 1921, when an expanding enrollment forced both schools to move to other, larger buildings. The Edward Creighton Institute building is now known as the Arthur Building.
Ed Creighton Avenue lies on the south side of Hanscom Park
in Omaha.
Founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska
The following people were founding figures of Omaha, Nebraska. Their period of influence ranges from 1853 through 1900. Many in this group were members of the Old Settlers' Association and/or the Omaha Claim Club...
businessman in early Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. The brother of John A. Creighton
John A. Creighton
Count John A. Creighton was a pioneer businessman and philanthropist in Omaha, Nebraska who founded Creighton University...
, the Creightons were responsible for founding many institutions that were central to the growth and development of Omaha. Married to Mary Creighton in their native Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
, Edward relied on Mary to carry out his request to create a college, which eventually became Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
.
Biography
Creighton was born on a farm in Belmont CountyBelmont County, Ohio
Belmont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 70,400. Its county seat is St. Clairsville...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
in 1820. In the 1840s, he became involved in the freight shipping and telegraph businesses; by 1856, he had become one of the largest builders of telegraph lines in the United States. He married Mary Lucretia Wareham
Mary Lucretia Creighton
Mary Lucretia Creighton was born Mary Lucretia Wareham in Dayton, Ohio. Creighton was a philanthropist who left a bequest of $200,000 in her will to found Creighton University in honor of her husband, Omaha, Nebraska pioneer banker Edward Creighton.-Biography:Edward's brother John married Sarah...
in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
on October 7, 1856; the couple moved to Omaha after their wedding. He quickly became involved in several business ventures in Omaha, including wagon freighting, merchandising, real estate, banking, railroading and ranching.
In the winter of 1860-61, Creighton surveyed the route of the proposed Transcontinental Telegraph
First Transcontinental Telegraph
The First Transcontinental Telegraph was a milestone in electrical engineering and in the formation of the United States of America. It served as the only method of near-instantaneous communication between the east and west coasts during the 1860s....
line between Omaha and Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, to be built with the financial support of Western Union
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
. He dug the first post hole for the telegraph line on July 2, 1861; the line was completed on October 24 of that year. During this expedition, Creighton established friendly relationships with a number of tribes along the route. Throughout his life, Creighton championed the cause of native Americans and repeatedly spoke out against their mistreatment. This stance brought him into conflict with the US Army as well as local politicians including his brother, John. Although a devout Catholic, Creighton objected to the manner in which mission schools tried to indoctrinate Indians and suppress their spirituality and culture. He would attend traditional Indian ceremonies and had a large collection of artifacts some of which he would display in the lobby of the banks he owned. This was considered scandalous behavior for the times as was Creighton's habit of hosting horse races on Sunday where beer was served up to his friends and workers. Creighton was also ostracized for having friends and business partners who were Jews and Mormons. Creighton repeatedly rebuffed efforts by others to have him run for office. He despised politicians, particularly the ones in Nebraska, and refused to fund a law school while he was alive replying "I am too fond of the city of Omaha and its populace to ever be a party to the creation of such a den of scoundrels in their midst"
Creighton then turned his attention to banking and railroading. He served as the first president of First National Bank of Omaha
First National of Nebraska
First National of Nebraska is a privately held, interstate bank holding company based in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. The largest banking subsidiaries are First National Bank of Omaha, First National Bank Colorado, First National Bank Kansas and First National Bank South Dakota. First National of...
and was one of the founders of the Omaha and Northwestern Railroad. The Creighton brothers invested heavily in the Union Pacific Railroad which ran a route parallel to their telegraph line. The Creighton brothers knew both Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas both of whom had stated their desire to construct a trans continental railroad. Edward fought unsuccessfully for Omaha's selection as the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
(an honor given to Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
). A high ranking railroad official touring early Omaha had been beaten and robbed and the city was considered to be too wild and corrupt for such a venture. During the Civil War, the Creighton brothers were staunch abolitionists and vocally pro-Union. They raised volunteer regiments in Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio to fight for Mr. Lincoln. John worked in the quartermaster corp and was responsible for stringing telegraph lines between the War office and the mobile fronts. Edward had been told to stay out of Southeast Nebraska and NW Missouri due to threats made against him by Confederate sympathizers who controlled these areas. After the armistice, The Creighton's bought up parcels of land along the railroad route and opened cattle ranches. They began to ship their cattle to Omaha and markets in Kansas. John Creighton opened the first packing plant on land he owned in South Omaha which became the nucleus for the city's huge food processing industry. They encouraged Irish and German immigrants to settle along the route by building Catholic and Lutheran churches along the right of way and seeing to it that the local Indian tribes were placated. All their business ventures thrived and the brothers amassed a considerable fortune. For his church building and other services, John was made a Count of the Catholic Church and given a titled estate on Vatican held lands outside Naples. John took this new title seriously and would often go about the muddy streets of Omaha wearing a sash and a sword to the open scorn and ridicule of his brother.
Legacy
The community of Benson, NebraskaBenson, Nebraska
Benson is a historic neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska. Now a pocket within North Omaha, Benson Place was originally platted in 1887 and was annexed into the City of Omaha in 1917.-History:...
had its beginning in 1887 when Erastus Benson
Erastus Benson
Erastus A. Benson was a banker, investor and land speculator in Omaha, Nebraska. Born and raised in Iowa, after graduating from the University of Iowa Benson speculated in land around Omaha. After investing in early business ventures in the phonograph and the Kinetoscope, Benson staged an...
purchased farm land from Edward Creighton. Both Creighton brothers contributed heavily to social and educational causes in the Omaha area. The Creightons provided the land and buildings for a medical school and were instrumental in bringing doctors from back east. Edward provided the funds for an order of hospital nuns to come to Omaha in the 1860s and a second order shortly thereafter. St. Catherine's and St. Joseph's hospitals were built and staffed as a result of their support. John Creighton also contributed heavily to the construction of a Methodist hospital. St. Joseph's entered into a working relationship with the burgeoning railroads in the area and at one time was the largest hospital west of Chicago. After Edward's death, his widow oversaw a further expansion and the hospital was officially renamed as the Creighton Brothers St. Joseph's hospital. It was the prime teaching hospital for the city based medical school which was incorporated into Creighton University in the 1890s.
The present day route of Interstate 80 runs along the course taken by Edward Creighton's telegraph line.
After Creighton's death in 1874, a portion of his estate was used to establish Creighton College, known today as Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
. Creighton is a member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with more than 28,000 Western and American Indian art works and artifacts. The facility also has the world's most extensive collection of American rodeo, photographs, barbed wire, saddlery, and early rodeo trophies...
and the Nebraska Hall of Fame
Nebraska Hall of Fame
Nebraska Hall of Fame is an official list of prominent Nebraskans compiled in accordance to state law. Members include:*Grace Abbott -- social reformer and social worker....
.
In 1905 the Edward Creighton Institute was built at 210 South 18th Street in downtown Omaha. Named in honor of Creighton, it served as the home of Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
's law and dental schools from 1905 to 1921, when an expanding enrollment forced both schools to move to other, larger buildings. The Edward Creighton Institute building is now known as the Arthur Building.
Ed Creighton Avenue lies on the south side of Hanscom Park
Hanscom Park
Hanscom Park is a historic neighborhood in Midtown Omaha, Nebraska. Its namesake public park is one of the oldest parks in Omaha, donated to the City in 1872. U.S. President Gerald R. Ford was born in a house in the Hanscom Park neighborhood...
in Omaha.