Jesse Ellsworth McCreight
Jesse Ellsworth McCreight, Recorder of Adams County, was born March 4, 1864. on the Secrists farm near Tranquility, Ohio, where his grandfather, Jesse McCreight, settled in 1844. Jesse McCreight, grandfather of our subject, was a native of South Carolina, of Scotch-Irish descent. He married a Miss McCullough and emigrated to Adams County in 1830. He was a farmer by occupation and followed it all his life. He lived on rented farms until he purchased the Secrists farm in 1844. which had not been occupied for thirty years on account of its reputation ot being haunted. Mr. McCreight, however, was free from superstitions. He removed into the house and it has been occupied ever since, first by him, and to the present time, by the mother of our subject, and not an evil spirit has ever disturbed the tranquillity of the family. Jesse McCreight died in 1879 and is buried in the Tranquility cemetery. Alexander McCreight was the only son of Jesse McCreight. and the father of our subject. He received such education as could be obtained in the Public schools. He learned the cabinet maker's trade and later, mechanical engineering and pattern making. He became the inventor of several useful articles, taking out eight different patents, the most important of which was his horizontal portable saw-mill, which patent brought him about $8,000. He was twice married, first to Rebecca Smith, and to them were born four daughters, Sarah. Jennie, Anna and Irena C. He afterward married Ellen Snedaker, of Decatur, Ohio, whose children were Jesse E., our subject; Frank S., Minnie O., wife of E. F. Elmore, of Tranquility; Maggie M., wife of R. W. McCreight, of Tranquility, and Ella R., who is single and resides with her mother.
Alexander McCreight was one of the leading members of the U. P. Church at Tranquility and one of the foremost in promoting the building of the present church. The fine pulpit is his gift to the church and a sample of his handiwork. In politics, he was a lifelong Republican and always took an active part in local and national affairs. He was often one of the speakers of his party in the county canvasses. He was a Justice of the Peace of Scott Township from 1886 to 1889. Prior to the Civil War, his house was one of the stations on the Underground Railroad and many a fugitive slave found shelter and safe conduct to freedom through his friendship for the cause. He enlisted May 2, 1864, in Company G, 172d O. V. I., and was discharged September 3, 1864. He died December 25, 1891. and is buried at Tranquility.
Jesse E. McCreight, the subject of this sketch, received a good education at home under the tuition of his father. A stroke of paralysis at the age of six years, disabled him from attending the Public schools and while it left him crippled in body, his mind was very active. He realized that that would have to be his means of support, and he became a diligent student. While he never attended college or school for a single day. at the age of sixteen, he was prepared to enter on business. He learned the watch making trade, at which he worked until 1883. and from 1883 to 1886, he was in the employ of the Cincinnati & Kastern Railroad Co. in the capacity of agent and operator, which position he was forced to resign on account of his health, and he then engaged in the watch making business at North Liberty until 1887, when he was elected by the Republican party as Recorder of Adams County, which position he occupies at present with great credit to himself and to his party.
He was married April 25, 1889, to Ida M. Brooks, daughter of Jesse Brooks, of Decatur, Ohio. They have two children, Forrest Leland, aged nine, and Mabel Carryl. aged seven. Mr. and Mrs. McCreight are members of the U. P. Church of Tranquility.
As an officer, Mr. McCreight is industrious and painstaking, and tries to do his duty to the best of his ability. He gives his entire attention to his office.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900