Manning, John 1847-1931

MANNING, MUNSON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/7/2013 at 17:24:17

JOHN MANNING ANSWERS CALL

Hardy Pioneer Enjoyed the Respect and Esteem of Community

BROKE UP PRAIRIE SOD

Dame to Le Mars Soon After Town Was Mapped

John Manning, a resident of Plymouth county for nearly fifty-five years, passed away at his home in Union township Tuesday afternoon, January 27, following a long illness due chiefly to the infirmities brought on by old age. Mr. Manning was one of the early settlers in Plymouth county, coming here in the spring of 1876.

John Manning was a native of Sweden and was born in the town of Kalmar, March 4, 1847. When a youth he came to America to better his fortunes and shortly after his arrival in the United States came to Illinois and obtained work on a farm in King county, Illinois.

He was united in marriage while living in King county to Miss Caroline Munson and continued to reside there until they came to Plymouth county, Iowa.

Unbroken Expense of Prairie

When they arrived in Le Mars in the seventies and took up land southeast of the hamlet of Le Mars, where now is Union township, there was nothing but a great expanse of beautiful prairie awaiting the tilling of the fertile soil, concealed by waving grasses.

Mr. and Mrs. Manning established a home on the open prairie, broke prairie and experienced winter blizzards, grasshopper plagues under the burning rays of summer suns, prairie fires in the fall, living happily and as conditions bettered developed one of the fine farms which abound in Plymouth county as in many other states and regions.

Mr. and Mrs. manning were the parents of seven children. A daughter, Ada, died at the age of ten years and a son Odel, in infancy. Mrs. Manning passed away March 13, 1917.

Mr. Manning is survived by five sons, Edward Manning, of Hastings, Neb. John Manning living on the home farm in Union township, Leroy Manning, of Oyens, Harry Manning of Seney, and Raymond Manning, of Kingsley.

Mr. Manning was one of a generation fast passing, hardy, stalwart, honest, self reliant, seeking no favors giving every man his due, a good neighbor and friend, faithful to any obligations he incurred.

The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon in the union township Presbyterian church. Rev. Harold Smith, the pastor officiating, and the remains interred in the Le Mars cemetery.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, January 30, 1931
Le Mars, Iowa