John Creswell (sportsman)

John Creswell (8 December 1858 – 24 March 1909), often known as "Jack", was a South Australian businessman chiefly remembered for his contribution to the sports of cricket and Australian rules football, but who made his mark in various other fields in a short but vigorous life.

John was born in Woodville, South Australia, the son of John Thomas Creswell (ca.1815 – 24 August 1874) and Mary Ann (née Smith), a pioneer of Port Adelaide, and was educated at St. Peter's College, Adelaide. He joined the accounting firm of F. S. C. Driffield, which he took over on the death of Driffield. He was an enthusiastic and competent cricketer, exponent of lawn bowls and one of the founders of the South Australian Football Association in 1876 and represented South Australia in inter-colonial matches. In 1893 he stood for the Southern District seat in the Legislative Council of South Australia but was decisively beaten by the incumbent J. H. Gordon.

He was Adelaide manager for the National Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand, which frequently took him to that country.

Of these, the Agricultural Society position at least was salaried; amounting to £400 per annum in 1902, with £165 as a commission, though he had to pay for clerical assistance from this amount. He was also supplied with an office which he was free to use for other business.

He was succeeded in several of his secretarial positions by his business associate J. A. Riley.

He was a man of cheerful disposition who despite his many interests, was able to fill each reliably and more than competently, and was capable of infecting others with a similar enthusiasm and confidence in a successful outcome. He was a man of exceptional probity. His organising ability and good luck were legendary; the fact of "Jack" Creswell being on a committee was practically a guarantee of success. Above all, he was courteous, unselfish and considerate.

John's eldest sister Mary Ann Sarah Creswell married William Francis Everard, son of Charles John Everard (1821–1892) and grandson of Charles George Everard of Ashford, on 29 December 1881.

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