Rentfro Banton Creager (1877-1950)

Portrait from the National Magazine, 1922.

   The name of Rentfro Banton Creager stood prominent in Texas Republican party circles during the early years of the 20th century. An attorney and former U.S. Collector of Customs at Brownsville, Creager achieved his highest degree of political prominence in 1916 when he received the Republican nomination for Governor of Texas. Although unsuccessful at the polls, Creager later went on to represent Texas on the Republican National Committee for over twenty years. A delegate from Texas to every Republican National Convention from 1916-1944, Creager was touted as a potential nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Mexico in the administrations of Harding and Coolidge but declined the honor.

  A lifelong Texan, Rentfro Banton "R.B." Creager was the son of Francis Warwick (1835-1912) and Katherine (Rentfro) Creager (1850-1928), his birth occurring in Waco on March 11, 1877. At age seven he removed to Brownsville with his family, and as a resident of a city that was predominantly Mexican-American, attended public schools and learned to speak and write Spanish fluently. Following graduation, he continued his studies at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and at the University of Texas, graduating from the latter in 1900 with his LLB. degree. 

   Creager returned to Brownsville in 1900 and established his law practice. He would cultivate a leading role at the Cameron County bar, being characterized by the National Magazine "as a lawyer he ranks amongst the ablest in Texas and represents many financial and development interests along the Mexican border." Creager married in February 1904 to Alice Terrell (1878-1958), to who he was wed until his death. The couple's near five-decade marriage produced four children, Katharyn Nina (1905-1999), Elizabeth (1908-1959), Frances (1915-1989), and Rentfro Banton (1920-2005).

  Rentfro Creager began his political ascent in 1909 with his appointment as U.S. Collector of Customs at Brownsville. Appointed by outgoing President Theodore Roosevelt, Creager was confirmed in March 1909 and served through the administration of President Taft, leaving office on June 30, 1913, when the post was abolished. 

   With his name firmly established in Texas Republican circles with his time in the customs office, Creager made headway in other areas of Cameron County life, including a long tenure as director of the First National Bank of Brownsville, "and had other extensive business interests, including real estate developments and bridges over the Rio Grande." In August 1916 Creager's name was put forward at the Texas state Republican convention as its candidate for Governor, and after clinching the nomination addressed his fellow delegates, remarking:

"I will say never in the history of Texas has such an opportunity been offered for a vigorous and effective campaign by the republicans. Never has the democratic party in state and nation been so vulnerable. Never has the democratic party so strikingly lived up to and exemplified the salient characteristics of the longeared animal which stands as its party emblem as during the last four years. The disclosures as to corruption mismanagement and utter ineffiency in state affairs made during the campaign preceeding the recent democratic primaries were sufficient to convince any honest and impartial citizen that there should be a radical change in out state government, and it is my belief, gentlemen of the convention, that there are scores of thousands of democrats in Texas that the interests of their state should come before the interests of any political party."

From the Mercedes Tribune, November 2, 1916.

  Through the late summer and fall of 1916 Creager hit the campaign trail and also had his campaign platform boomed throughout various Texas newspapers. In one such instance, the Bryan Daily Eagle published a lengthy list of where Creager stood on the pertinent topics of the day, including the following:

• Favored the retention of the Robertson Insurance Law.
• Favored the abolition of many useless state offices and a halt on "junketing trips" paid at the expense of the taxpayer. 
• Favored women's suffrage--"as a matter of justice".
• Amendment of the delinquent tax law.
• Favored the lowering of taxes and advocated placing "all public officers on strict salary basis."
• Was against candidates accepting campaign donations from corporations.
• Was against "the appointment of incompetents for political reasons."
• Was against the excessive collection of back tax penalties.

From the Amarillo Daily News, October 18, 1916.

  Opposing Creager in his bid for governor was incumbent Democrat James Edward Ferguson (1871-1944), who had first won election in 1914. Despite a campaign slogan touting "Honesty First, Party Politics Afterward" Creager was trounced in the general election, polling 49,118 votes to Ferguson's 296,667. While he may have won in a landslide, Ferguson was later impeached by the Texas legislature in August 1917,  extending from "misapplication of public funds", amongst other charges.

  While his gubernatorial aspirations were dashed, Creager wasn't through politically, and in the same year of his defeat, he served as part of the Texas delegation to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. All told, Creager would be a Texas delegate-at-large to the conventions of 1916, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944, and in 1921 was named chairman of the Texas State Republican committee. During the 1920 election year, Creager lobbied hard for the nomination for Ohio senator Warren Harding for president, and even invited Harding to Texas for a fishing trip prior to the Republican National Convention that year.

  Having developed a firm friendship with the presidential candidate, Creager and other Harding supporters continued to map his election strategy at the convention, and after journeying to Chicago Creager:

"Took over, leading the dickering for the Harding forces in rooms 404, 405, and 406 of the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago."

   Creager later took to the convention floor and delivered a rousing address seconding the nomination of Harding, who, after receiving the presidential nod, was a guest of the Creagers at their home in Brownsville. Following his win in November 1920, Harding returned the favor and invited Creager and his wife to the White House. In 1921 Creager's name was bolstered for U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and was offered the post by both presidents Harding and Coolidge, but ultimately declined the honor.

From the Indianapolis Times, June 11, 1928.

  Creager's stature in Texas Republican circles continued to rise in 1923 with his appointment to the Republican National Committee, where he represented Texas until 1944. He would boom the presidential candidacy of Herbert Hoover in 1928, and eight years later was one of five Republican "board of strategy" members that mapped the campaign of presidential nominee Alfred M. Landon of Kansas. 

  Well into the 1940s Creager continued to wield influence in his party, and in 1948 fought off a challenge from fellow Texas Republican George Hopkins, who believed Creager held too much sway in state Republican affairs. In the summer of 1950, Creager attended the Texas Republican state convention held in Galveston, and in early September began to suffer ill health. This necessitated a hospital stay in Brownsville, and on October 28, 1950, Creager died in hospital at age 73. He was survived by his wife and children and was interred at the Old City Cemetery in Brownsville. 

From the Gladewater Daily Mirror, October 29, 1950.

Prelate Demick Barker (1835-1928), Prelet Drake Conant (1822-1900)

From the Memorial Record of Alabama, Vol. II, 1893.

   Although a native of New England, Prelate Demick Barker found his political and business fortunes in Alabama, where he first settled in 1857. Barker's long residency in the "Heart of Dixie" saw him become one of  Mobile's most honored sons, being appointed as Collector of Internal Revenue for his state and in 1890  entered into a two-decade-long tenure as U.S. Postmaster at Mobile. On the national political scene, Barker served eight years as a member of the Republican National Committee from Alabama and was an eight-time delegate from Alabama to the Republican National Convention.

  Born on September 29, 1835, Prelate Demick Barker's birth occurred (depending on the source) in either North Branford, Connecticut, or New York City. The son of John Brooks Barker (a ship captain) and the former Frances J. Appell, Barker's first name is a misnomer, as "prelate" is actually a title given to a high ranking clergyman, such as a bishop or cardinal. While this name is certainly unusual, research has shown Barker received his name in honor of Prelate Demick (1801-1885), a resident of New Haven, Connecticut. A beloved schoolmaster in his region, Demick was also the first U.S. Postmaster at North Branford and for a time served as Grand Master for the state Odd Fellows Lodge of Connecticut.

  Barker's formative years were spent in New Haven, Connecticut, where he attended the common schools and later was a student at the Stratford Academy. At age seventeen Barker left his native state for New York City, where he pursued a career in law. Studying in the office of Harris Wilson, Barker left that city after two years and briefly resided in Illinois and Wisconsin. 

  In 1857 Barker resettled in Alabama, and after establishing roots in Claiborne County took employment with the mercantile firm of McClure and Thames. At the dawn of the Civil War Barker (despite being from the North) cast his lot with the Confederacy, being named an assistant to post quartermaster C.E. Thomas at the latter's headquarter's in Selma. Barker remained in Selma for the duration of the war, and in August 1865 married Joan Elizabeth Ferguson (1842-1910). The couple was wed for over forty years and their union produced four children, Ellis Carson (1866-1898), Florence Jane, Joan Elizabeth (died 1910), and Olive Louise (1873-1960).

  Following his war service Prelate D. Barker began plotting his business fortune, and in the same year as his marriage entered into the cottonseed oil, lumber, and petroleum business in his region, work that would extend into the 1880s. This was followed by his being tapped to serve as the secretary and treasurer of the Selma and Meridian Railroad in 1869. His time in that post extended two years, and midway during his service was elected to his first political office, that of Dallas County Superintendent of Education.

From the Notable Men of Alabama, Volume I, 1904.

  Barker left the office of county superintendent in 1871 and in November 1873 entered into his first high profile political appointment, that of Collector of Internal Revenue for Alabama's 2nd district.** Appointed by President Grant, Barker succeeded Francis Widner, who had been suspended from office and died shortly thereafter. Barker's first stint in that post extended several years, and during his term saw Alabama's revenue districts consolidated into one district, thereby making him collector for the entire state. Following his resignation in the late 1870s, Barker joined with the Empire Refining Co. of New York as its secretary, serving from 1879-83.

  In 1883 Prelate Barker was reappointed as Alabama's Collector of Internal Revenue by President Chester Arthur. He would relocate to Montgomery to take office and served until the inauguration of President Cleveland in March 1885. This period also saw Barker enter into the cotton compress and storage business in Montgomery, and in 1890 received the appointment of U.S. Postmaster at Mobile by President Benjamin Harrison. Barker served until 1894 when his commission expired, and in 1897 was reappointed postmaster by President McKinley. His second stint in office extended until 1914, serving through the administrations of McKinley, Roosevelt, Taft, and the first year of the Wilson presidency.

  Beginning in 1888 the name of Prelate D. Barker became a familiar one at the Republican National Convention. All told, Barker was elected as a delegate to every Republican National Convention held between 1888 and 1920, excepting the 1904 convention held in Chicago. The 1900 RNC Convention in Philadelphia saw Barker chair the Alabama delegation and also served on the committee to notify President McKinley of his renomination, visiting the president at his home in Canton, Ohio. In addition to his being an eight-time RNC delegate, Barker represented Alabama on the Republican National Committee for eight years, 1908-16. 

   In 1910 tragedy struck Barker with the death of his wife of forty-five years, Joan. He would remarry in 1914 to a woman nearly forty years his junior, Grace Salome Pettit (1873-1942). A longstanding Mason and member of the Knights Templar, Barker continued residence in Mobile until his death at home on March 29, 1928, at age 92. He was survived by his wife Grace, with both being interred at the Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile.

From the History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Vol. III, 1921.

** While nearly all sources record Prelate Barker's appointment as Collector of Internal Revenue as occurring in 1871, this is incorrect. Francis Widner was revenue collector in that year and served until his suspension (and later death) in 1873. Barker was appointed by President Grant to succeed him in November 1873, as per the record of the U.S. Court of Claims case log.

Portrait from the Representative Men and Old Families of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1912.

   Around the same time Prelate D. Barker was establishing a name for himself in Alabama, a man with a similar first name was doing the same in Massachusetts. That man was Prelet Drake Conant, a Fall River businessman who had fleeting political involvement in 1896 when he was a Prohibition Pary nominee for the Massachusetts state senate. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on September 22, 1822, Prelet D. Conant was the son of William and Achsah (Perry) Conant.

  Less than a year after he was born, Prelet suffered the death of his father and during his youth was employed as a spinner in a local cotton mill. He later learned the trade of carpenter and following his mother's death removed to Fall River, where he continued carpentry work. Conant married in Rehoboth, Massachusetts to Jane Munroe Rounds (1825-1905) in August 1843. The couple's lengthy union saw the births of a least three children, Mary Jane, Thomas Leprelet, and Minnie Ida.

  After a decade's residence in Fall River Conant removed to Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he engaged in the manufacture of sashes and blinds for several years. He removed back to Fall River sometime later and established himself in business in that town's Bowenville district. After a fire destroyed his business, Conant was forced to rebuild and by the early 1870s is recorded as operating the P.D. Conant and Co., dealing in "Builder's Supplies, Doors, Sash, Blinds, Hardware and Cutlery."

  Conant retired from business in 1886 and was active in Fall River fraternal groups, being a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges. A longtime agent for the Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Conant was also a former director of the Laurel Lake Mill, a vice president of the Citizen's Savings Bank, and a member of the Fall River Board of Trade.

   Prelet Conant's first entrance into politics came in 1856 when he began a long tenure as a justice of the peace, serving in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. A leading temperance advocate in his city, Conant was called to elective office by the Prohibitionists in 1896, becoming their nominee for the Massachusetts state senate. Hoping to represent the state's 2nd senatorial district, Conant was one of four candidates vying for the seat. On election day he polled a distant fourth with 345 votes, losing out to former state representative William Moran, who triumphed with 5,289 votes.

  Four years following his senatorial loss, Prelet D. Conant died at his Fall River home on March 23, 1900, aged 77. He was survived by his wife Jane, and a burial location for both remains unknown at this time.