CAPT. JAMES CREED, of Walnut Hill, is recognized as one of the leading fruit growers of Marion County. For many years he has been connected with this enterprise and has won a high degree of success in the undertaking. As he is widely and favorably -known in this community we feel assured that a record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers. The Captain is a native of Texas, but was reared in Rutherford County, Tenn., and in 1844 came to southern Illinois, locating in what is now Saline County. The region was then but sparsely settled, wild game of all kinds was found in abundance and much of the land was still in the possession of the Government.
Captain Creed's parents were natives of South Carolina, and were of English and French descent, respectively. His father, Robert Creed, went to Texas and served in Captain Anderson's Company under Gen. Samuel Houston, in the war which occurred in the establishment of the state's independence.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, David Reed, was one of the heroes of the Revolution, but would never accept the pension tendered to the soldiers of that war. He reached the age of one hundred years.
The family was represented in the Mexican War by our subject, who in June, 1846, enlisted in the Third Illinois Regiment, serving for twelve months. He saw some hard service, took part in the bombardment of Vera Cruz, and later went to Cerro Gordo Pass, participating in the engagement at that place, where General Shields was in command. About 1876 Mr. Creed saw the General in Centralia, and they had a pleasant conversation concerning the events of the campaign.
After his return home thn Captain was married, in 1848, to Miss Stacy J. Randolph, a descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Six children were born to them, who grew to mature years.
During the Civil War Captain Creed was again found as one of the defenders of the country. He aided in organizing Company K, of the Seventyfirst Regiment of Illinois, and was unanimously elected its Captain. With his troops he was largely engaged in guarding the bridge at Big Muddy River, and for about two years was actively engaged in raising recruits for the army.
In 1865 he came to the farm on which he now resides, and has since been engaged in general farming and fruitgrowing. He has developed and improved a farm of four hundred acres, has about one hundred acres planted in apples, and is also considered one of the most successful peach growers of this region. His farm is one of the valuable ones of the county, and upon it he has erected a beautiful brick residence, a fine country home.
His wife was called to the home beyond in 1885, and her loss was mourned by many friends. She was a member of the United Baptist Church of Centralia, to which the Captain also belongs. He is likewise connected with the Grand Army post of Walnut Hill.
In Captain Creed we see one of the founders of the Farmers' Grange. He was a member of the first farmers' club ever held. This was established in a lyceum of Walnut Hill, of which he was a member, and from this club sprang the Grange which has become a wide-spread organization. He is probably the only surviving member of the original club. He has traveled all over the state organizing Granges and has been the most prominent member of the society.
Since the war the Captain has been identified with no political organization, but holds himself free to support the man whom he thinks best qualified for the oflice. A pleasant, genial gentleman, he has the high regard of all, and in the community in which he has so long resided is recognized as one of its honored citizens.
He was a candidate for Congress on the Greenback ticket, his opponents being A. J, Sparks, of Carlyle, and B. B. Smith, of Salem. He was nominated by the Labor party for State Senator, and indorsed by the Republicans, and at one time was a candidate for the Legislature, running independent.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 206-207
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer