MAROA (PLACE) LAMPSON MANNING, b 17 Apr 1839

MANNING, PLACE, WADDAMS, LAMPSON, BELL

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/19/2004 at 22:03:27

Mrs. Maroa Manning, nee Place, widow of L.F. Manning, living in Andrew retired from the active cares of life, is an early settler of Jackson County, having been here nearly a quarter of a century. She is a native of Illinois, born in Lena, Stephenson County, April 17, 1839. Her paternal grandfather, Andrew Place, was a farmer in New York State, where he spent his last years. George Place, father of our subject, removed from his native State to Illinois, when a young man, and located in Stephenson County, being one of the original settlers of Lena. He bought a tract of land from the Government, which is now included in the present site of Lena, and improved a farm, living there until his death in 1852, when only forty-seven years of age. He was a man of sterling worth, and a fine representative of the sturdy pioneers who helped settle this section of the Central United States. In politics, he was a Whig. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Eunice Waddams. She was born in Indiana, April 6, 1821. Her father, William Waddams, was a farmer in the Hoosier State, and removing from there to Stephenson County, Ill., in 1826, was the first white settler in the township which was subsequently named in his honor Waddam's Grove. He bought a tract of unbroken land, from which he improved a large and valuable farm, remaining there until his death in 1859, at the age of three-score and ten years. After moving to Illinois he at once identified himself with its interests and progress, and assisted in ridding the country of wild beasts and of the Indians that were such a terror to early settlers, having served throughout the Blackhawk War. In politics, he was a Whig. Mrs. Place died in Waddam's Grove in August, 1881. She bore her husband four children: Maroa, William (deceased); Reuben is living in Minnesota; Mary is living in Waddam's Grove.

The subject of our sketch received a good common-school education in her native town, and remained with her parents until seventeen years of age, receiving from her good mother practical instruction in household affairs. She then became the wife of Mr. George Lampson, their marriage being celebrated in Lena July 4, 1856. Mr. Lampson was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., but moving from there to Lena in early life, engaged in farming until 1865, when he disposed of his property in Illinois, and bought a farm of 200 acres in Maquoketa Township, which he improved by fencing, cultivation, and the erection of good buildings. He was very successful in his agricultural pursuits, and continued thus engaged until Sept. 12, 1872, when he died, leaving our subject with two children, Mary and Albert. The former lives in Andrew, and the latter at home. Being an energetic woman, of good business capacity, Mrs. Lampson continued to manage the farm herself, five years, when she again formed a matrimonial alliance, becoming the wife of Mr. L.F. Manning, March 28, 1878. He was of mingled German and English blood, born on board a sailing-vessel which was en route from England to New York. His father, who was of German origin, was in early life master of a sailing vessel plying between England and New York, and married an English lady during one of his trips. He afterward bought a farm in New York State, where both he and his wife died, leaving their son, an orphan, when but a child. He was subsequently reared by an uncle in New York State, remaining with him until he was fifteen years old, when he was apprenticed to a glass maker in Plattsburg, Vt. In 1851 Mr. Manning came to Iowa, and located in Cascade, Dubuque County, where he remained about a year, and then removed to Perry Township, and bought 120 acres of land, from which he cleared a farm, erected a good set of buildings, and made other substantial improvements. He became prominently identified with local affairs in Perry Township, and took especial interest in educational matters, having been a member of the School Board sixteen years, serving as President and Trustee. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Manning rented his farm and moved with his family into Andrew, where he spent his remaining years, dying Feb. 2, 1889. He was a man of high principle, just in all business transactions, and was respected throughout the community. In politics he was a strong Republican. Mr. Manning had been married twice, prior to his union with our subject, his first wife leaving him with four children: Edwin C., real-estate dealer in Tennessee; Cyrenus, who died in Oregon a few years after the war; Gilmore is living in Washington; Edgar, a farmer in California; Samuel, a hardware merchant in Oregon. Of his second marriage four children were born: Henry, express messenger in St. Paul; Ella, the wife of Mr. C.R. Bell; Benjamin, living in Andrew; and Fred, who died when four years old.

After the death of Mr. Manning, our subject, who still retained her town property, bought twelve acres of land, on which was a neat and conveniently arranged dwelling, and in this cosy home she lives in pleasant retirement. She is a most estimable woman, every way worthy of the high regard in which she is held, and is a valued member of the United Presbyterian Church. She is also an active worker in the Woman's Missionary Society.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)