John P. Manes, p. 1368

JOHN P. MANES. The family which this gentleman represents are among the earliest pioneers of Allegheny county, Penn. The first one of whom we have an authentic record is one Culbert Manes, who was born August 14, 1799, and reared in New Jersey, and came to Allegheny county, Penn., in the latter part of the past century. He was there united in marriage with Susan, daughter of Samuel Van Kirk, who was of New Jersey descent, and a member of one of the oldest families in the county. They were prominent in the Revolutionary war, many of them having served under Washington; Mr. Van Kirk took an active part in the battle of Brandywine. While living in New Jersey he was married to Mary Price, who bore him children as follows: Samuel, Joseph, John, Isaac, Thomas, William, Sarah, Betsey, Mary, Ruth and Susan (who became the wife of Culbert Manes). In politics Mr. Van Kirk was a Democrat: he followed farming and stock raising.

After his marriage Mr. Manes settled on a place in Allegheny county, Penn., where he remained until 1857, when he purchased a farm in North Strabane township, Washington county, where he made a permanent residence. His children were: John P. (subject of sketch), Mary J. (Mrs. Wesley Greer), Samuel, Margaret (Mrs. T. H. Lyon) and Joseph V. Mr. Manes always followed the business of farming and stock raising, politically he was a Democrat, and was frequently called upon to serve the township in different capacities. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church.

John P. Manes passed his youth on the home farm in Allegheny county, Penn., and received a common-school education. In 1849 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and purchased mules for a Pittsburgh company, continuing in that business about six months, and then, joining a party of gold seekers, went to California, where he remained seven years, engaged in mining and other occupations. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and on August 8, 1858, was married to Mary, daughter of John McMillan. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Manes settled on the farm in North Strabane township, this county, which is his present home, and has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He has three children: Culbert, Mary A. (Mrs. David Crone) and John A. Mr. Manes is one of the leading citizens of Washington county, but has recently retired from active life. He takes an active interest in church matters, and is a member of the Presbyterian Society, in which he serves as trustee. He votes independently of any party, but favors the Democratic platform.

Text taken from page 1368 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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