Creighton University - Bluejay Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

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named chief beneficiary and executor in Mary Lucretia ' s will. In hier will, slie remembered her husband ' s dream and left $100,000 in trust for a college which was to bear his name. John Creighton poured his augmented fortune into charitable works. Besides giving more than two million dollars to the university, he gave the city a hospital, a convent for the Poor Clare Nuns, a home for working girls and numerous other charitable institutions. His partner and inspiration in all these philanthropies was his wife, whose con- cern for the welfare of the university and close cooperation with her husband earned her the title of co-founder of the school. Sarah Emily Creighton died in 1888, but the memory of her charity only inspired her husband to greater giving. On February 7, 1907, John died, and for many years that date was observed by Creighton University as Founder ' s Day. Now it is observed on the first Thursday in December. Creighton University opened its doors in 1878 with 120 boys taught without charge by a faculty of one Jesuit priest, three scholastics, a layman and a woman. In 1878, Creighton College had only one building, which in later years was re- ferred to as the Main Building. The main building presented a very isolated picture. It was erected on the brow of a Graduates of 1900 and 1928 face a brave new world. 6 — intra

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ation, expansion determination that Hiram Sibley and liis Rocliester as- sociates were to mal e tlie nucleus of the Western Union Company. In the fall of 1856, Edward returned to Dayton, Ohio where he married Mary Lucretia Wareham, October 7. The next spring he brought his wife to Omaha. In 1863, with the aid of the Kountze Brothers, Edward established the First National Bank of Omaha, and was made president. He retained this office 11 years. His death came unexpectedly. On November 3, 1874, he fell on the floor of his bank, stricken with a paralytic stroke. On November 5, he died. John A. Creighton, brother of Edward, was a very influential figure in the founda- tion and growth of Creighton University. John was the youngest member of the Creighton family. He was born in Licking County, Ohio on October 15, 1831. Upon leaving school, he helped his brother, Edward, construct a telegraph line be- tween Toledo and Cleveland. This job with Edward, in 1854, was the beginning of a continuing relationship and John ' s fortune was linked with that of his brother ' s. In 1856, Edward and John, with their cousin, James, came to Omaha. Here they resumed their contracting opera- tions, and shortly after their arrival they constructed the telegraph line between St. Joseph, Missouri and Omaha. In 1866, John Creighton returned to Ohio to marry Sarah Emily Wareham, younger sister of Edward ' s wife. Shortly after his marriage, he joined in a partner- ship with Frank C. Morgan, who was established at Omaha in the grocery business. When Ed ward died in 1874, his widow, Mary Lucretia, followed him in death only 14 months later. John A. Creighton was John Creighton, top, and Edward Creighton, bottom, came to Omaha in the 1800 ' s to shape the future of the West and left their lasting mark on Omaha with the founding of Creighton University. intro — 5

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In 1878, Creighton College consisted of one isolated structure, above, re- ferred to as the Main Building. Today, this building, known as the Administration Building continues to embody the University ' s past inspira- tions, present achievements, and future goals. Pictured left, are five young men who graduated from Creighton ' s first class in Uie year 1891. intro — 7