Pages 117-118
W. J. McMANUS is among the reputable men of DeWitt County, Texas, who, in their conduct of business matters and the duties belonging to the various relations of life, have acquired a worthy name. He is a prominent miller and ginner, as well as Postmaster, at Thomastown. He was born in 1840, in Amite County, Mississippi, to the union of David and Martha (Wright) McManus, products of the Palmetto State and Mississippi, respectively. The father was a planter by vocation, and about 1854 he and family came to Texas and settled in DeWitt County. Now he is living at Yoakum. He served in the Confederate army from Texas, in the reserved corps. He has acted as Justice of the Peace for many years. The mother died in 1883. Our subject received the rudiments of an education in the schools of Mississippi, and after coming to Texas he assisted in tilling the soil until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 he enlisted in Ford's Regiment, Texas Rangers, and was on the Rio Grande River. The following year he enlisted in the Confederate army, in Colonel C. L. Pyron's Regiment, Second. Texas Cavalry, and served in Texas and Louisiana, generally on scouting duty, being at San Antonio when the war closed. He was made First Lieutenant in 1862, and in the fall of 1863 he was sent to San Antonio where he served as Post Adjutant, and also for a time was Provost Marshal. After returning home he resumed his farming operations near Terrell, but in 1885 came to Thomaston, where he bought land. Later he purchased the gin at this place, engaged actively in business, and in 1893 erected the present gin and mill. The gin has a capacity of twenty bales per day, and has all the modern machinery. In 1888 Mr. McManus was appointed Postmaster, and has discharged the duties of that office in a most efficient and satisfactory manner since. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a liberal contributor to al worthy enterprises. In the month of January, 1867, he was married to Mrs. Edgar, and five children have been given them: David Brown, Dudley Cullins, Dalton Edward, Mary Ann, and Josephine Charlotte. Fraternally Mr. McManus is a Mason and a Knight of Honor, both of Cuero and lodges. He is a valuable resident of this city, and his business is rapidly increasing.