Creed T. Templeton was born in Union Township, Lawrence County, Ohio, on June 17, 1821. His father, Thomas Templeton, was born October 9, 1790, in Botetourt County, Virginia. He came to Lawrence County in 1814, returning the next year to Virginia, where he was married to Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Virginia and died in July 1822.
He then returned to Lawrence County, settling near the mouth of Symmes’ Creek. He subsequently removed up the creek five miles, where he remained until 1834. From there, he removed to his present residence. He experienced many of the hardships incident to a pioneer life.
He helped to organize the first United Brethren church, with which he had been connected for forty-five years; the schools he attended were supported by subscription. He was the first justice of the peace in Union Township, which he has held for thirty years. He was also one of the first county commissioners of Lawrence County and held other township offices. He is now in his 92nd year, and his health is good. He is of Scotch extraction, and his wife is of Irish extraction.
Creed T. Templeton was married to Rebecca Morrison, in Union Township, on January 18, 1844. She was born in the same township on November 12, 1822. Her parents were Richard Morrison, born in 1796 and died in 1876, and Mary (Brindley) Morrison, born in 1793 and died in 1853. They were of German extraction and came to this county from Virginia in 1821.
The following are the children of Mr. Templeton:
- Martin, born January 2, 1845, resides in Windsor Township;
- Caroline, December 23, 1846, died January 20, 1876;
- Diannah (Burns), October 20, 1849, resides in Union Township;
- Thomas J., April 25, 1852, resides at home;
- James M., October 27, 1854, resides at home;
- Susan E., March 5, 1857, died October 20, 1871;
- Richard D., February 4, 1861, died May 16, 1863;
- Dora, on December 13, 1866, resides at home.
Mr. Templeton was commissioner for one term in 1869; he has been a trustee and clerk for Union Township; he was a real estate appraiser in 1880 for Union Township. His son, Martin, was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, a member of Company I, 45th Kentucky Mounted Infantry; served from 1863 to 1865.
He was in the battles of Saltville and Pound Gap; was in Sherman’s raid; he had his feet severely frozen from exposure. Creed T. Templeton is at present engaged in farming in Union Township, and his post office address is Russell’s Place, Lawrence County, Ohio.
Ninety Years Old – He Reads the Morning Irontonian and Without Glasses
Creed T. Templeton, one of the pioneers of Union Township and one of the oldest, if not the oldest native resident of Lawrence County, was in the city yesterday attending court as a witness. Despite the fact that he was ninety years of age on the seventeenth of this month, Mr. Templeton is still wonderfully active, his mind perfectly clear, and he reads the Irontonian twice a week without reading glasses.
He was born in Union Township in 1821 when the hills and valleys contained wolves, deer, and other wild animals, and he has spent his entire life in Union Township. In about 1841, he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners, a position more recently held by his son, T.J. Templeton.
We do not remember having seen a man who has gone twenty years beyond man’s allotted time on this sphere and who has retained his vitality and his faculties like Mr. Templeton. His longevity is a demonstration of the value of regularity of habits and of clean, wholesome living. It was quite a pleasure to talk with him, as he converses intelligently and connectedly, showing that his mind is clear and active and his physical powers wonderfully refined.
Source: Morning Irontonian, 27 June 1911
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