My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL CREAGER, farmer; P. O. Horatio; was born in 1820 in Ohio; was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Creager, who were born in Maryland; Elizabeth was the daughter of Lewis Lecklider; the grandfather was Henry Creager. Thomas and Elizabeth Creager came to Darke County, and located upon the farm on which Daniel now lives, in 1832, when all was a wilderness; they cut their road through from New Harrison to get to their land, and cut their first stick of timber; arriving at the farm on Sunday, the next Wednesday eve had a log house up, and moved into it Thursday morning; from this beginning they labored on, clearing up and opening out and making improvements as time and means would admit, enduring the privations and hardships of such life; for several years their principal milling and grain market was at Dayton; Thomas lived till 1849, when he departed this life, leaving as the results of his labor about 130 acres cleared and under cultivation, being an example of wonderful industry and energy, and having accomplished a wonderful amount of labor for the length of time he lived here; he had a family of thirteen children, eight of whom grew up to manhood, viz., Esaias, Mary Ann, Perryman, Daniel, Catherine, Lewis, Elizabeth and Josiah, six being now living, the eldest of the eight children having since died. Daniel, the fourth child, and the subject of this sketch, in 1847 went to Versailles, where he remained about two years; then to Kokomo, Ind., where he remained about two years; from there he went to California, where he remained about five years; returned home and remained here till 1863, when he bought a mill in Miami County, which he operated about two years, sold out, and then went to Versailles into the mercantile trade, in partnership, with his brother, where he remained two years, when he sold out; but the trade was not fully consummated, after which he was some of the time at Versailles and some of the time on the farm, to the expiration of five years, or till 1872, when his trade at Versailles was closed up, and he returned to the farm, where he has remained to the present time; the original farm, as bought or entered by Thomas Creager, comprised 334 acres, of which there are now about 180 acres cleared and in cultivation; the farm has remained undivided to the present time, the mother having departed this life only last May, 1879, being nearly 86 years of age; Daniel has bought out four of the heirs, thus becoming the owner of five shares, which, of course, gives him the greater portion of the farm. We see here the history of a man and a family who have been through many hardships, but the fruits of their labors are now visible, and enable them to live in comfort and plenty the rest of their lives; and this history will be read by generations to come with much interest, and as an example of industry and good management will stand forth as a bright and shining light to all ages to come.