Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-03
"A GENEROUS GIVER
DONATIONS OF JOHN A. CREIGH-
TON TO CATHOLIC CHURCH.
AND HIS REWARD COMES

Notre Dame Confers Upon Him tn,
| Laetare Medal, Awarded in Other
Years to Eliza Allen Starr, w. J
Onahan, Daniel Dougherty, Mary
Gwendolen Caldwell and Other
Earnest Workers.
To John A. Creighton of Omaha has
fallen the honor of receiving the Lac
| tare medal from the University OF
| Notre Dame this year. This medal is
annually presented on Laetare Sunday
-mid-Sunday Of Lent-whence il
takes its name. 1t is mark of rec
ognition for Catholic laymen not un-
like the Golden Rose, presented by the
pope to distinguished Catholic sover-
eigns. The medal is intended as a
recognition of services rendered by the
laity in behalf of religion, education
and morality. Men and women have
received it because of their notable
services to religion in different lines of
public duty. Historians, journalists,
jurists, engineers, artists, writer's and
physicians have been recognized bv
this distinction.
John A. Creighton is one of the pio
neers Of Omaha. He has been identi-
fed with the business interests of that
city from its foundation and is one OF
its most honored and respected citi.
zens. Creighton university, the first
endowed Catholic u ,versity in the
United States, was for ded by the late
Edward Creighton. It has been en-
larged and developed by the gifts OF
John A. Creighton. St. Joseph's
hospital was founded by the wife of
John A. Creighton, and her beouest
was increased fourfold by her husband
to make the hospital fitting monu-
ment to his deceased wife. The medi-
cal college that bears his name was
established by his gifts and made a
part of Creighton university, and nu-
merous charities in the city of Omaha
attest the liberality and benevolence
of the man that Notre Dame honors
with this medal, it's highest mark of
appreciation. Edward Creighton had
one ideal in life, and that was TO
found a free institution of learning to
be conducted under Catholic auspices:
but he died intestate, and the plans he
had outlined were left unprovided for.
His wife, Mrs. Mary Lucretia Creigb-
ton, inherited his entire fortune. She
knew Of her husbands plans ard de-
termined to put them into execution.
In her will she beQueathed S150,OOO to
the founding of a college that should
bear her husbands name, and Creigh-
ton college was erected in the city of
Omaha and given over to the Jesuit
order. To this endowment fund John
A. Creighton has added liberal dona-
tons to aid in the execution and equip
ment of the college. The next object
OF Mr.. Creighton's bounty was St.
Joseph's hospital, which was built by
him at a cost of $25O,000 When it,
was completed. he again directed his
attention to education and founded the
John A. Creighton Medical college in
connection with the hospital. This
medical college became a part of the
Creighton university. He gave large
ly to the building of st. Johns church,
near the college. The convent of the
Poor Clares was built by him upon
land that he donated, and fund was
set aside for the maintenance of the
convent. His ilberality toward char
ity and education received recognition
some years ago by his appointment to
the title and distinction of Roman
count by Pope Leo XIII.
Last year it was awarded to Mary
Gwendolen Caldwell, founder of the
Catholic university. She was the
fourth woman to receive the honor
Ten of the 16 that have received the
medal are now dead. The names OF
those who have already been chosen
year by year as recipients of the Lac
tare medal are: John Culinary Shea,
the historian; Patrick Kelley, the
noted architect of church edifices;
Eliza Allen Starr, lecturer and artist;
General John Newton. P. V. Hickey,
Mrs. Anna Hanson Dorsey, DR.. WILL
lam J. Onahan, Daniel Dougherty, Ma
jor Henry F. Brownson, Patrick Don
ahoe, editor and publisher; Augustin
Daily, theatrical manager; General
William Stark Rosecrans, Mrs. Sad
lier DR.. Adds Emmett, Timothy E.
Howard and Mary Gwendolen Cald-
we'll.