JOSEPH V. MANES, an influential and prosperous citizen of North Strabane township, was born January 25, 1839, in Elizabeth township, Allegheny Co., Penn., the youngest son of Culbert and Susan (Vankirk) Manes. Culbert Manes was born August 14, 1798, in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, where he was married February 17, 1824, to Susan Alice Vankirk, a daughter of Samuel Vankirk, of New Jersey birth, who belonged to an old pioneer family. He took part in the battle of Brandywine, and several of his family served under Gen. Washington. He was married to Mary Price, of New Jersey, and their children were: Samuel, Joseph, John, Isaac, Thomas, William, Sarah, Betsy, Mary, Ruth and Susan (Mrs. Culbert Manes). Mr. Vankirk followed agricultural pursuits; in politics he was a Democrat. After the marriage of Culbert Manes, he located in Allegheny county, near Elizabeth, but in the spring of 1857 made a permanent settlement in North Strabane township, Washington county, where he engaged in farming. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Culbert Manes: John P., born December 1, 1824; Mary J. (Mrs. Greer), born March 7, 1826; Samuel, born January 9, 1828, died February 6, 1829; Margaret A. (Mrs. Lyon), born January 12, 1834, and Joseph V., born January 25, 1839. Mr. Manes was a Democrat, and served his party in different capacities. He and his wife were ardent members of the Presbyterian Church. He died August 5, 1889, having been preceded by his wife December 1, 1880 Joseph V. Manes passed his early life in Allegheny county, Penn., where he obtained a common-school education, and when eighteen years of age came to North Strabane township. On May 8, 1862, he was married to Caroline Bebout, who was born January 29, 1844, daughter of Peter Bebout and granddaughter of John Bebout, who came from Scotland in an early day; and died in Washington county. Peter Bebout was a native of New Jersey, and was married to Isabella Cooper, who was born August 12, 1805, in Ohio. They settled in Washington county, Penn., in an early day, and reared the following children: Mary J. (wife of William Hays), born August 27, 1825; Susan (wife of William Bebout, a retired farmer of Washington county), born November 26, 1826; Ira, a retired farmer of Washington county, born September 5, 1828; Margaret (wife of Cephas Cochran), born August 31, 1830, died February 10, 1858; David R., a retired farmer of Washington county, born September 3, 1832; Isabella (wife of John Crouch), born April 7, 1834; Joshua, born July 5, 1836; Stephen, born October 21, 1838 (deceased); Martha J., born January 18, 1841 (deceased February 25, 1842); Caroline S. (wife of Joseph Manes), born January 29, 1844; Hermon H. (a re- tired farmer and stock dealer of Canonsburg), born August 31, 1847. Peter Bebout was married twice, and was the father of twenty children. (There is no record of his first wife.) He had five brothers and four sisters. Mr. and Mrs. Bebout were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. To the union of Joseph V. and Caroline (Bebout) Manes have been born children as follows: John J., born August 24,1863 (married February 9, 1888, to Nannie Wallace, who bore him one child, Flora Myrtle, on March 10, 1889); Laura A., born February 18, 1865 (deceased September 29, 1867); William H., born January 17, 1868; James E., born November 22, 1869; Mary L., born April 14, 1872; Joseph, born November 21, 1875; Dora S., born April 15, 1878; Clyde A., born May 1, 1880; Charles C., born February 19, 1883; Oscar L., born May 7, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Manes have been identified with the history of the county many years, and have taken an active interest in all public enterprises. Mr. Manes has followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fertile and well-cultivated farm of 145 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Manes are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 520 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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