Joseph CREABIL is engaged in farming on section 17, Richland township. His farm comprises two hundred and ten acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, and its equipments are of the best character, in keeping with the spirit of modern progress that has been so strongly manifest along agricultural lines in recent years. He was born in Lorraine, Germany, on the 14th of March, 1851. His father, John CREABIL, was a native of the same locality and died while serving in the French army during the early boyhood days of his son Joseph. He was a miller by trade, following that pursuit when not on military duty. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Katrina SALTZMA, died in Marshall county, Illinois, at the home of her son, about seven years ago.
Joseph CREABIL, the only son, spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his nativity and acquired his education in the schools of Alsace. In May, 1870, he joined the French army, with which he served until March, 1871. He came to the United States in September, 1871, landing at New York. A change is always induced by the hope of bettering one's condition and it was this which brought Mr. CREABIL to the new world. He made his way to Chicago and was there during the great fire one of the most memorable events in the history of the country. After a week he came to Marshall county, Illinois, and provided for his own support for two years by working as a farm hand in this county. He was then married and established a home of his own, going in debt for eighty acres of timber land in Richland township. He cleared away the trees and prepared the fields for cultivation and now has a model farm of two hundred and ten acres, which is indicative of his life of enterprise and labor. Two years ago he erected a fine residence and he has many other modern equipments and accessories upon his farm, which is one of the best properties in this portion of the county. The entire place presents a well kept appearance and indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.
In March, 1874, Mr. CREABIL was married to Miss Matilda HIGH, a native of Sweden, and they have four children. Leon, who is engaged in general merchandising at La Rose, married Susie ELRIGHT and has two sons, Joseph and Harry. Stella is the wife of William BUCK, a resident farmer of Richland township, Marshall county, and they have one child, Samuel. Emma and Arthur are still at home. The wife and mother died on the 5th of March, 1895, and was laid to rest in New Salem cemetery. She was a lady of many excellent traits of character, of kindly purpose, and of marked devotion to her family. Her loss was deeply regretted by many friends as well as the members of her own household.
Mr. CREABIL belongs to Lacon lodge, No. 78, of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid, and is also connected with the Mystic Workers of the World. In politics he is what may be termed an independent republican, usually voting for the state and national candidates of the party, yet not considering himself bound by party ties and often casting an independent local ballot. He is now serving as school director for his district. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here his labors have been attended with a measure of success that is very gratifying. Starting out as a farm hand, his diligence and perseverance constituted the basis upon which he built his prosperity. He has every reason to be proud of his success and his life of industry and enterprise find visible evidence in his flue farm and attractive home.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
