My Genealogy Hound

Wilson Manus, a successful agriculturist, and the son of Jesse Manus, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., March 15, 1842. The father was also a native of Tennessee, was reared and married in Tennessee; was a farmer by occupation, and a Democrat in politics. He was married twice, and became the father of children by both wives. Wilson Manus was but three years old when both of his parents died, and he has no remembrance of his parents, brothers or sisters. After the death of his father he was bound out to a man by the name of Debord, with whom he staid but a short time, when an uncle by marriage took him and kept him until the breaking out of the late war. In 1857he was brought to Scott County, Ark., and in 1862 he was conscripted in the Confederate army, and served until the fall of 1863, being under seven different captains. With the idea firm in his mind that he was serving a wrong cause, he determined to escape as soon as possible. In September, 1863, he went to Fort Smith and enlisted in Company C, Second Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, United States Army. Soon after he was transferred to Company F, of the same command, and received an honorable discharge August 8, 1865. He participated in the battle of Saline River, Prairie Grove. A considerable portion of the time he was detailed on scouting service, and in a skirmish near Clarksville, Ark., April 11, 1865, he was wounded in the left thigh and hip, the ball passing clear through and crippling him for life. As a partial compensation he gets a pension. After the war he returned to Sebastian County, where, in 1867, he married Miss Julia Anthony, a native of Scott County, and the daughter of Finis Anthony. Nine children were the fruits of this union: Abraham L., Mary E., Henry W., Daniel G., Tennessee J., Archidelphia A., Eva J. L., Audus L. B. and an infant (deceased). Mr. Manus was a Democrat until the war, and since that time has been a Republican. After marriage he settled upon the farm where he now lives, and where he is engaged in successfully tilling the soil, although he followed merchandising for a short time in connection with his farming interests. He owns 200 acres of land, ninety under cultivation, has been a resident of this county for twenty-one years, and is an honorable man and a good citizen. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is also a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. He received very little schooling, and was not able to read or write until about four years ago. He is deeply interested in the education of his children.