Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-01
Real Estate
Count John A. Creighton.

Count John A. Creighton came to Omaha
very early in its history, engaging in bust
ness with brother, Edward Creighton,
who was one of the builders of the great
west. Edward Creighton was famous as
having constructed the first line of tele-
graph across the continent. John A. Creigh-
ton assisted in this work and later con-
structed the first line of telegraph from
Salt Lake City to Helena, Mont. In the
early COS he was engaged in freighting,
mining and cattle raising. gradually extend
ing his interests through the west. He en-
gagged for some time in mercantile pursuits
at Virginia City, Mont. He was instrument
tai in carrying out the numerous requests
his brother made for religious and chari-
table purposes, and has since added to them
in degree that has multiplied their useful
ness manifold
During the years that have elapsed since
Mr.. Creighton's coming to Omaha he has
been prominently identified with every
movement that has tended to advance the
social or material well being of the city. At
present he is probably interested in more
enterprises of commercial and industrial
Importance tnan any citizen OF Omaha 1t
would require several columns of newspaper
print to give a detailed account Of the
various activities of this useful citizen.
In even a greater degree has he been &C
tive in church and charitable work His
continual contributions to the advancement
of the creed of which he is devout believer
have led him to several distinguished
honors. The late Pope Leo XIII some years
ago conferred upon him the honorary dis
tinction and title Of count of the Holy
Roman empire. Only two other American
citizens have ever been thus singled out for
90 hxyb do hoI ha Five
ago the Laetare medal was conferred upon
Count Creighton by the trustees and faculty
of Notre Dame university, Indiana. This
honor is for his dist fguished and benevo-
lent services to the Catholic church.
Count Creighton is personally a most
genial and popular gentleman. He has
fund Of humorous stores with which he
never fails to amuse his friends in his own
inimitable way. He is very fond Of music
and though IA years OF age his rich tenor
voice still possesses much OF its elegance
and sweetness of younger days. He Is par
ticularly a favorlte among the younger
members of his family and circle of friends.
and is never too busy to spend an hour in
pleasant play with the little folks, who look
| on Uncle John" as their especial prop
erty. His residence in Omaha, which he
has named the only farmhouse within the
city limits" Is headquarters for merry and
genial circles throughout the year.
p. E. Hers Omaha, Lincoln a Beatrice
Railway.
The name of Her is woven into the his
tory of Omaha for the last forty years
Few citizens have done more than Mr.. Her
for the development of the city and general
public prosperity He came here in 1866
from T1ffin, O., where he had been engaged
in the liquor and distilling business with
considerable success. Mr.. Her also ran
peddling wagons and when possible would
make joint trips with Fiske, who was then
| selling cloth, and he carried notions. Born
| at Wooster, o., February 10. 1870. he had
become a resident of THIN when he was
5 years old
Mr.. Her was in Omaha less than three
| years when he purchased a small dis
| tillery that had been started by ]. G. Nc
| Coy In 1866 From the time the new owner
took possession the business began to in
| crease. In 1871 a company was formed and
| Incorporated under the name of the Willow
! Springs Distilling company. which has
| since been retained. For many years Mr..
| Her conducted the business with signal
| success. making a large fortune and en-
larging the plant until it became very
large one. Some years ago he disposed Of
| his interests In IL ana retired from the
business, but not from active business life.
Among the enterprises in which he was
prominent was the establishment OF the
stock yards at South Omaha and the cree
ton Of many prominent buildings. most OF
which he built individually. Among these
is the present Her Grand hotel, which Is
to be succeeded soon by a new modern
twelve-story hotel structure, II the plans
| OF Mr.. Her are carried out.
Within the last few years Mr.. Her was
the prime mover in the interurban electric
railway project which is to connect Omaha,
Lincoln and Beatrice with a trolley line,
with frequent service. Associated with
eastern capitalists, he organized the oom-
pany that il to build the road. and active
operations were started in 1906. Already a
considerable part OF the line has been
graded and ties and steel laid. In connec-
ton with the enterprise a large tract OF