JOSEPH MANNING

MANNING, HOLSHOUSER, MORGAN

Posted By: Mona Sarratt Knight (email)
Date: 7/3/2009 at 18:39:49

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Marshall County, Kansas; Chapman Bros., 1885, p. 277-78.

JOSEPH MANNING. In the front ranks of those who were attracted to Kansas by rumors of its vast wealth of soil, and its apparently unlimited resources, was he of whom this brief notice is written. He is located on section 18, Franklin Township, which has been his permanent residence since 1883. Both the father and grandfather of our subject were by name John Manning, the father of our subject a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where he married Miss Ursula B. Morgan, also a native of the same State as himself. Living in this, the home of their youth, until 1850, they resolved to seek pastures new, and accordingly repaired to Appanoose County, Iowa, which, with the exception of four years in Lee County, the same State, has since been their home. There the father passed away from earth, leaving his wife and family in good circumstances. The mother of Joseph Manning yet survives, residing in Appanoose County, Iowa. The home circle of Mr. and Mrs. John Manning, Jr., was enlarged until in time eleven children clustered around the fireside, and among these our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He was born in Franklin Township, Clermont Co., Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1837, and lived in his birthplace until he was about thirteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Iowa. This was his home until 1870, but in the meantime several important events had occurred in his life. About the time he became of age the topic of slavery was one of all absorbing interest, and a nation was threatened with extinction and ruin. Popular feeling was aroused to a fever heat, and enthusiasm for the national cause was unbounded. In his quiet country home our subject had ample time to reflect on these vital questions, and when the call for more soldiers came he responded at once to the appeal. He was for three years a faithful and courageous soldier, having enlisted in August 1862 in Company I, 36th Iowa Infantry, and escaped without any severe injuries being received in service. When Mr. Manning's term of service had expired he returned to his old home in Appanoose County, Iowa, and soon afterward married. He was very fortunate in his selection of a life partner, his wife being Miss Maria I. Holshouser, to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock Dec. 31, 1865. Her parents were Milus A. and Caroline (Atkinson) Holshouser, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter supposed to have been born in Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holshouser settled in Putnam County, Ind., which was their home until 1850, when they came to Wapello County, Iowa; after a five years' sojourn in the latter county they again removed, this time locating in Appanoose County, Iowa, where Mrs. Holshouser died in 1861. At the present time her husband yet survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Holshouser was born a family of eight children, of whom Maria I. (Mrs. Manning) was the fourth. Her birth place was Putnam County, Ind., and the date of her birth Aug. 30, 1849. Remaining in Iowa for only a few years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Manning were induced to remove to Kansas, and preempted a homestead of 160 acres in Marshall County on section 18, Franklin Township. The ensuing five years were passed in the busy pursuits of agriculture in this then new country, but the charms of old friendships, and the ties of old associations drew him back to the home in Appanoose County, where the family remained until 1883. He dates his permanent residence in Kansas from that year, as he then removed to Marshall County, where he has a good farm now well improved and carefuflly cultivated. During all these years of labor, Mr. Manning has been greatly assisted and cheered by the faithful, ever devoted wife, and has also enjoyed the companionship of his children, of whom there wre born six, namely: William A., who died in infancy; Nevada A., who was removed from the loving parents and friends by the angel of death, waiting to lead the fair flower of earth to gardens of unfading glory. Her death occurred in Appanoose County, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1882, when she was fourteen years of age. The living children are: Edward A., Gertie M., Mary E., and Clyde C. Mr. Manning affiliates with the Republican party in matters political, and has held several of the township offices. Together with his wife, he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church, which he has assisted in every way possible, both by the example of an upright life, and by giving it financial aid. They are also welcome additions to the social circles of their vicinity, and being now in life's prime, will probably devote the remainder of their lives to the cultivation and improvement of their property and the education of their children.