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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 145 - 146 |
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JOHN H. MANNING
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It requires a master mind to rise superior to unfavorable environment and become a leader in large and important industrial enterprises. The necessary ability to accomplish such results is possessed in a marked degree by John H. Manning, who has long been identified with the lumber interests of Michigan and is now one of the leading men of Cadillac, holding as he does a commanding position with one of the city's leading industries. He is a typical western man, of clear mind, tireless energy, unfaltering perseverance, keen discrimination and absolute reliability in every relation of life. Few have accomplished as much as he in the same length of time and it is fitting in this connection that an outline of his career be given, as his many friends and acquaintances in Cadillac and throughout the state will no doubt gladly peruse the record. Mr. Manning's father was John H. Manning, a successful farmer and lumberman of Monroe county, Michigan, who died some years ago, in the township of London, that county, at the age of seventy-four. Emily Everett, who became the wife of John H. Manning, spent the great part of her life in the above county and died there at the early age of thirty-seven, leaving a family of eight children, the subject of this review being the fifth in order of birth. Reverting to the personal history of John H. Manning, whose name introduces this sketch, it is learned that he was born February 8, 1851, in Monroe county, this state, and that he spent his childhood and youth to his thirteenth year on the home farm in London township. Like the majority of country boys, he was early sent to the district schools where he prosecuted his studies of winter seasons and spent the other months of the year at various kinds of farm labor, having early been taught those important lessons of industry and thrift which had such a potent influence in moulding his character and shaping his future course of action. Mr. Manning was a mere lad when the great Civil war broke out and he had a burning passion to enter the service of his country, but his youth prevented him from carrying this laudable desire into immediate effect. When only thirteen, however, an opportunity presented itself by means of which he succeeded in entering the government service as a member of the First Regiment of Mechanics and Engineers from Michigan. In this capacity he accompanied the regiment to Georgia, where it was attached to the army under General Sherman, and he reached the scene of action in time to take part, under that distinguished commander, in the celebrated march to the sea. After remaining in the employ of the government about three months he was honorably discharged from the service and, returning home at once, resumed farming on the home place, devoting the winters as formerly to school work. When sixteen years old he severed home ties and started out to make his own way, engaging first as a sawmill hand in his own county, where he labored during the ensuing three years. At the expiration of that time he entered the employ of a lumber manufacturer at Saginaw where he worked in the mills during the summer of 1871, and the following year went to Coleman where he was similarly engaged until the latter part of 1872. Mr. Manning's next engagement was at Evart where, with the exception of spending one year as superintendent of the shingle mill in the city of Farwell, he worked from the spring of 1873 to the fall of 1878. Leaving Evart, he accepted the superintendency of a large saw-mill at Farwell and after serving in that capacity until April, 1884, resigned his position and entered into partnership, at Hersy, with Robert Hall, the company thus constituted becoming the largest lumber firm in that town. After lasting about three years and doing a very flourishing business, the firm of Hall & Manning was dissolved, the latter disposing of his interest in the concern in 1888. In February of that year Mr. Manning came to Cadillac and entered the employ of Diggins Brothers as superintendent of their large lumber mills, the duties of which responsible position he discharged in an able and satisfactory manner until September, 1895, when he resigned for the purpose of becoming superintendent of the Cadillac Handle Company, being still manager of this large and flourishing enterprise. From the foregoing outline of a very active and successful career it will be seen that Mr. Manning has filled worthily several important trusts, in all of which he demonstrated business and executive ability of a high order, discharging every duty creditably and fully meriting the confidence reposed in him by his employers. His advancements from an humble station to the commanding position he now holds as practical manager of one of the leading industrial enterprises in this part of the state have been continuous, each successive change leading to something higher and more responsible, the firms which he left parting reluctantly with his services, others eagerly accepting him as the one best qualified to bring their industries to the highest possible standard of efficiency. On the 13th day of September, 1876, at Mt. Morris, Genesee county, Michigan, Mr. Manning was united in marriage with Miss Ida E. Mann, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Van Natten) Mann. Mrs. Manning is a native of Branch county, Michigan, and has borne her husband children as follows: Myrtle, wife of William Hoag; Lee, Bessie, John, Leo, Erma and Daniel. Mr. Manning has been a member of the board of public works at Cadillac since 1890 and while a resident of Evart he served two years in the common council of that city. Fraternally he belongs to Cadillac Lodge, Knights of Pythias, to Lodge No. 181, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he is also an active worker and leading spirit in the Royal Circle of this city. He enjoys the high respect and warm admiration of the people of his adopted city, is a forceful factor in all matters pertaining to its general welfare and stands today one of the leading and influential business men in a community where talent and genuine worth have ever been recognized and appreciated at their true value. Mr. Manning's life has been one of great activity, attended, as already stated, by remarkable business advancements and not a little of financial prosperity. He is essentially progressive in all he undertakes and endowed with the ability and tact to mould circumstances to his will. His success in over-riding adverse conditions and rising to his present influential and honorable station in the world of affairs is such as few attain. Of strong convictions, positive character and incorruptible integrity, he is deservedly classed with the most intelligent and energetic of Cadillac's representative men and holds a permanent place in the hearts of his fellow citizens. |