My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN W. MANOR is a contractor and builder at Xenia, with shops located at No. 24, East Second Street, and having a comfortable and attractive home at No. 126. Having followed his trade of a carpenter and builder here for a number of years, during which time he worked on some of the prominent buildings of the city, he was known to be a master of his business, when he began contracting. He has therefore established a thorough reputation for the reliable workmanship and honorable fulfillment of contracts, and built up a good trade.

Mr. Manor was born near Winchester, Frederick County, Va., August 24, 1824. His father, Benjamin Manor, who was born in Buckley County, of the Old Dominion, married Catherine Marsh, and resided in Buckley and Frederick Counties until 1828. He then came to Greene County, driving all the way, bringing with him a family which at that time included eight sons and three daughters. Xenia then had a population of perhaps one thousand souls, and other parts of the county differed proportionately from their present condition. The parents located on Main Street, but on March 1, 1829, removed to a farm on the Dayton Pike; the place was supplied with a log house and a barn, and some clearing had been done upon it. It was improved by its new owner, who made it his home during the remainder of his life, his death taking place in 1860, at the age of seventy years and ten months. His farm comprised two hundred acres, and had been placed in such a condition as to rank among the best in this part of the county. Mr. Manor was a man of prominence in the community in which he lived. For three years he was Director of the Infirmary. He belonged to the Whig party in his early life, and was one of the first to be classed as a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow survived until May 14, 1874, when she closed her eyes to earthly things. They had reared a family of twelve children, eight of whom lived to mature years.

The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch completed his education in Xenia, and in this place learned his trade, beginning work for himself upon reaching man’s estate. He followed his trade until 1859, when he returned to his father’s home and took charge of the farm. He remained there two years, and was then reappointed Superintendent of the Infirmary, a position that he held until the spring of 1869, his reappointment each succeeding year speaking well for his efficiency. He then came again to Xenia, and worked at his trade until 1871, when he began contracting, since which time he has made that a specialty.

In 1871 Mr. Manor was elected an Infirmary Director, and held that office three years. In 1884 he was again elected to the position, which he still holds, being now the oldest director on the board, of which he is the clerk. In 1855, he served as Township Assessor. He is a prominent member of the Republican party, having for two years been a member and Chairman of the County Central Committee, and during the past year Chairman also of the Executive Committee. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member both of the Subordinate Lodge and of the Encampment. He belongs to the Reformed Church, and is highly spoken of by the people among whom his lot is cast, his long residence having given them abundant opportunities to test his worth.

On June 12, 1844, the interesting ceremony was performed that gave Mr. Manor a wife and Miss Margaret A. Scott a husband. The bride was born in Beaver Creek Township, this county, December 27, 1824, and grew to maturity in Xenia, where she obtained a good education and acquired those excellent principles and useful habits so needful to make a happy home and to properly rear a family. Her father, James A, Scott, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in this county in 1814, returning the following fall to his native State for his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shannon. He made his home in Beaver Creek Township until 1827, when he removed to Xenia, making that his home until his death. He and his faithful companion died in 1881, the husband breathing his last August 12, and the wife October 24. Mr. Scott served as Sheriff during two terms of eight years, was County Auditor two years, was Justice of the Peace for some time; and was a Representative in the Legislature for two terms about 1840. For many years thereafter he was retained in the office of County Recorder, during a long period of years being prominent as an official and a private citizen.

A fine family of nine children has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Manor, all still living in the enjoyment of good health, the youngest having now reached the age of twenty-four years. The family is somewhat scattered — David T., now living at Hartford City, Ind.; William A., at New Albany, Ind.; Samuel H., at Xenia; Asbury L., in Hartford City, Ind.; Kate, who is the wife of Henry C. Bankard, in Xenia Township; Nettie, remaining with her parents; Benjamin L., making his home at Connorsville, Ind.; James S., in Chicago, Ill.; and John E., at Xenia, where he is station operator.

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This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

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