Anderson County Biographies
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Southeastern Kansas"
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1894
JOHN A. MANN, one of the substantial
farmers of Anderson County, residing on
section 8, Westphalia Township, was born
in Hocking County, Ohio, December 11,
1837, and is of English descent. His grandfather,
Arthur Mann, a native of England, came to the
United States and married Nancy Thompson. Locating in Virginia, he the re spent his remaining
days. He reared a family of several sons, namely:
Arthur, Henry, Walter, William, Oliver, John and
James T. The last-named is the father of our
subject. He was born in Virginia, July 17, 1807,
and in 1828 emigrated to Hocking County, Ohio,
where he became acquainted with and married
Caroline Warthman, who was born in the Buckeye State May 28, 1809.
James T. Mann was a bricklayer, plasterer and
paper-hanger by trade, and also owned a farm in
Hocking County. In 1857 he removed to Van
Wert County, Ohio, and purchased land, which
he cultivated in connection with work at his
trades. There he continued to make his home
until his death. He passed away March 25,
1890, while visiting in Kansas, and was buried in
Central City Cemetery. His wife died two years
previous in Van Wert County. In early life he
was a Whig in politics, but afterward became a
stalwart Republican. For about sixty years himself and wife were faithful and active members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In the parental family were eight children. Sarah
was born September 8, 1833; she married Abraham Bigham and died in Van Wert County, Ohio,
leaving two sons, John W. and William O. Mathias was born October 14, 1835, and died February 26, 1837. John A. is the next younger. Mary
E., who was born April 22, 1840, is the wife of
Charles W. Carpenter, of Van Wert County, Ohio,
by whom she has two children, Jesse B. and M. B.
McPherson. James O. was born May 10, 1842,
enlisted in Company A, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, and died April 18, 1863, at Camp Dennison,
Ohio. Arthur was born August 9, 1844, and died
on the 14th of September, 1849. Christina, who
was born August 11, 1847, died September 23,
1849. Frances was born May 31, 1850, and died
January 5, 1861.
No event of special importance occurred during
the childhood and youth of our subject, which
were quietly passed on the home farm. After attaining his majority, he worked as a farm hand
for two years, and then rented land for a year.
Subsequently he purchased forty acres, and followed farming in his own interest until coming
to Kansas in August, 1870. In November of the
same year he settled upon his present farm, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land,
which was then unimproved, but which, through
his untiring zeal and efficient labors, has become
a highly improved and fertile tract. The boundaries of his farm have been extended until it now
comprises four hundred and seventy acres of rich
land. Great neatness characterizes the place. The
buildings are all in good repair, the fences well
kept, the hedges well trimmed, and good walks
are around his buildings. This well deserves to
be mentioned among the model farms of Anderson County. In connection with its cultivation,
Mr. Mann is also extensively engaged in raising
fine stock.
Our subject has been twice married. In Van
Wert County, Ohio, January 21, 1861, he wedded
Sarah J. Todd, a native of that county, and a
daughter of William and Mary (Hire) Todd. She
died in Kansas July 20, 1873, leaving three children: Mary Lillie, wife of Frank S. Mitchell, of
Garnett, Kan.; Ashley E., who is living near Garnett; and Cary L., at home. On the 9th of March,
1874, Mr. Mann married Mrs. Elizabeth (Aldridge)
Starr, who was born in Washington County, Mo.,
and is a daughter of James and Nancy J. (Patterson) Aldridge. They have four children: Pliny C,
Emma Florence, Walter S. and Edwin C. In politics Mr. Mann is a Republican, has served as
County Commissioner for one term, Township
Treasurer two terms, and as a member of the
School Board. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The honorable, upright life which he has lived has gained
him universal confidence and won him the good
will of all.
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