The four founders of Creighton University are Edward, Mary Lucretia, John, and Sarah Emily Creighton. Edward Creighton married Mary Lucretia Wareham on October 7, 1856. Mary Lucretia and Edward Creighton had one child, Charles David, who passed away at the age of 4. Edward Creighton was a businessman who worked in construction, telegraph, and banking. In 1856, business brought Edward and Mary to Omaha. On November 6, 1874 Edward passed away at the age of 54 with no will. It is Mary Lucretia who deserves a great deal of credit for starting the university. In her will she left $100,000 to establish a school in Omaha, bringing to fruition a dream of her late husband, Edward. Creighton College opened in 1878. In 1868, John A. Creighton returned to Omaha from a business venture in Montana. That same year he married Sarah Emily Wareham, the sister of Mary Lucretia. John and Sarah only had one child, Lucretia, who passed away at 11 months old. John invested in Creighton College and helped the institution transition to a university. Through his support, the institution was able to open the John A. Creighton Medical College, as well as a law school, dentistry school, and pharmacy school. Sarah Emily also contributed to the growth of Creighton College. She pushed for the construction of St. John’s Collegiate Chapel, which is now St. John’s Church. After her death in 1888, Creighton Memorial St. Joseph’s Hospital (named in her honor) opened thanks to a bequest in her will.