History of Creighton

by Clara Rucker Ogg

Creighton (on Knob Creek) the only town in Sherman Township , Cass County is about 2 miles North of Grand River and just west of the Cass- Henry County line. It was developed by families who came from Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio and settled in northern Sherman Township about 2 miles north of the present site, in the late 1830s. Creighton Village began with the building of the Kansas City, Clinton and Springfield Missouri Railroad, 50 years later.

The first settler in the township was Anderson Smith in 1836. He built a double log cabin near the Henry County line. He became a Cass County judge in 1844. Next to settle in the area were Asa Hendricks and Moses Strong. Strong caught the Gold Fever and left his wife and 4 children on Knob Creek. He Died in California.

Possible, the most influential settler in the area was Joshua Page (1837). He lived in Lafayette County and had an interest in the beginning of Missouri University. He was the first teacher and preacher of the First Christian Church in the area. He performed the first marriage (Mariam Sturge and Robert Cornett) in the township. The cornet family was the first slave holder.

In the early 1840s, several families Gregg, Maupin, Tabor and Long arrived. These families built sturdy cabins , raised their food, taught their children and shared with each other. They took turns making over night trips to Lexington for the supplies they couldn't produce. The Osage Indians seldom came to beg for sugar, etc. They spoke some English and seemed fascinated by the white children.

In 1858 Woodson Wade came to the area and laid out the village of Wadesburg. By 1883 there was a Post Office, School, Blacksmith-harness shop and two churches, Christian and Baptist.

Then the Civil War came - some families moved to Kansas and others stayed. On Christmas 1861, Lowe and his Home Guards returned to the area. They celebrated too much and went to Wadesburg, firing on the town and killing one man. A feud developed so he village of Grant was founded about 1 mile north.

Grant was developed by H.V. Stall, Lotspeich, McCoy, Dixon, etc. but never grew beyond a few shops and a Presbyterian Church.

During "Order No. 11" several families moved over to Henry County. The area wasn't burnt but was troubled by bushwhackers.

Wadesburg and Grant served the people well until 1885 when the KCC & S Railroad was built 2 miles south of the village. A coal mine was operated by E.J. Perry , a school mate of George Nettleton, a railroad owner. Each got what he wanted a way to ship coal out and a Nettleton Addition. The Leaky Roof also built a spur to the brick plant. Wadesburg and Grant moved south and named the city after John Creighton who had lived there some time.

Creighton became a 4th class city in 1895 and probably reached 300 to 400 people. It became the focal point for a large group of farmers and stockmen. The railroad made Kansas City the market place for livestock and grain and kept the grocery and hardware stores supplied. The 22 businesses were owned by names yet recognized: Griffith, Creighton, Land, Ewing, Carter, Arnold, Moreland, Looney, Vaughan, Goodson and Gregg. The Electric Plant was built in 1909.

World War I brought cars and gas stations to replace the livery stables. Roads improved and folks began shopping in other towns.

In 1950 the Railroad era passed for Creighton. Folks made fun of the "Leaky Roof" but howled when it disbanded. Two passenger and a freight came through daily. A number of people made "meeting the train" a daily social event.

Today Creighton has several fairly new buildings: Bank, Post Office, Library, Community Building , Senior Housing and Fire Department.

Creighton doesn't have a City Cemetery. If you are hunting a Creighton ancestor you may visit Parker, Byler, Lost Creek,, Grant, Wadesburg, Lutheran, Urich Cemeteries.

Modified:04/17/06