S. S. Mann

MANN, ALLEN

Posted By: Jeanie
Date: 5/17/2005 at 20:17:47

Hon. S. S. Mann.

The subject of this note was born in Sussex County, New Jersey December 13th, A. D., 1830, and moved to Delaware County, Ohio with his parents in the fall of 1834. He was raised on the farm and inured to hard toil. Received a normal and academic education and afterwards studied for the profession of law, but owing to the deleterious effect produced upon his constitutional health from sedentary habits he abandoned the idea and never made application for admission to practice. During many consecutive years subsequent to his twentieth year he worked on the farm during the spring, summer and fall months and taught school during the winter.

On April 6th, 1852 Mr. Mann started on a six months journey from Columbus, O., with an ox team across the plains to the golden lands of the Eldorado of the far west. Arriving at the mining camps in Nevada, on the South fork of the Eula River on the 6th day of Oct., 1852. At that time it was a great undertaking because it was a long tedious, tiresome and heart sickening journey. His return was in the winter of 1855, on steamers, by way of the Isthmus of Panama.

In the spring of 1865 he came viewing through Iowa. After traveling by foot and stage from Galena Ill., arrived, on March 7th, at an uncle’s by the name of John Mills, twelve miles North of Cedar Rapids. Through his uncle’s solicitation and the loan of a horse Mr. Mann was induced to view Tama County, coming by the way of Yankee Grove, G. Taylor’s and Mr. Felter’s, the latter living about nine miles farther west and up Wolf Creek from Mr. Taylor’s. From these gentlemen he learned of Union Grove and to visit it was the desire of our tourist. The journey to the grove was one which is often experienced by the frontier traveler. The prairie over which the traveler passed was beautiful, and was the pleasure grounds of the deer, antelope and other species of quadrupeds. Our tourist was led from his road by the desire to give the wild deer a chase which he per-chanced to meet and when he realized his whereabouts he was in the darkness of the western horizon without shelter or even a companion; but soon he came to a small log cabin in Union Grove and on inquiry found it to be the home of a hospitable pioneer, Mr. Fredricks’, whose house he sought through the dark and stormy night.

Mr. Mann purchased the land he now lives upon of the Government, on the 15th day of January, A. D. 1855, situated near Union Grove. Since that time he has added thereto 210 acres making in all 530 acres. On this land he has erected a fine, if not the finest farm residence in the County, at a cost of $5,000. He is the architect of his own fortune; never expecting anything from any man only that for which he gives a full and satisfactory equivalent. Through economy and incessant toil he has managed to keep out of debt.

Mr. Mann was married in his 21st year, on the 15th day of August, A. D., 1851 to Miss Sarah Allen, of one of the most respectable families of Muskingum County, Ohio. He emigrated to Jackson County, Iowa, in April 1856, and was elected to the office of Magistrate two consecutive terms. He moved into this County and settled on the land where he now lives, in the spring of 1866. Was elected to the office of Magistrate and served two terms.

On January 19th, A. D., 1877, he met with the sad misfortune of loosing an affectionate and confiding companion.

He was nominated as representative in the State Legislature in the fall of 1877, by the National Greenback and Democratic parties jointly. He made a strong and vigorous campaign and although ran against eleven-hundred majority it was reduced nearly seven-hundred. He has always been found a defender of the interests of labor.

From the History of Tama County, Iowa. by Samuel D. Chapman. Printed at the Toledo Times Office. 1879. Page 158 and 159.