Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Manifold, James E. July 30, 1822 - August 28, 1892 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com December 22, 2009, 12:01 am Source: McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown JAMES E. MANIFOLD was for many years a prominent citizen of Hancock County, and will be remembered by the greater part of the citizens of this community. A native of Tenn- essee, he was born in Roane County on the 30th of July, 1822. His parents were George and Mary (Persley) Manifold, and their family num- bered eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, who in order of birth were as follows: Sarah, deceased, wife of W. Wheeler, a resident of Jeffer- son County, Iowa; Nancy, who is now the wife of John McCord, a resident of La Harpe Town- ship, Hancock County; Elizabeth, now deceased; William F.; Joseph N.; James E., of whom we write; Benjamin J., who is living in Durham Township; and John, who makes his home in La Harpe Township. No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of our subject save his removal to Illinois. When a lad of fourteen years he left his native State and accompanied his par- ents on their emigration to Illinois. The family located in Hancock County, and the education of James Manifold, which was begun in his native State, was completed in the district schools of this locality. He shared in the trials and hardships of life on the frontier, and was familiar with the history of pioneer life of Hancock County, for he saw this region when it was wild and unimproved, and was an eye-witness of its development and advancement. After arriving at years of maturity, Mr. Mani- fold was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Logan, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (McCarty) Logan. The lady was born on the 28th of November, 1830, and was educated in the district schools. She has proved to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate, aiding him in his work by her thrifty ways, her good management, encourage- ment and sympathy. Mr. Manifold always fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He first pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Durham Township, eight miles west of the Mani- fold homestead, and there resided for forty-seven years. He placed the entire tract under the plow, and transformed the once wild land into rich and fertile fields, which yielded to the owner a good income. He then purchased an eighty-acre farm adjoining his first tract, and afterward bought two hundred and forty acres additional. Subsequently, he bought his present homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, and having made upon this farm some valuable improvements, it be- came one of the best country homes in Hancock County. Altogether he owned seven hundred and ninety acres of valuable land, of which all was arable, with the exception of a thirty-acre timber tract. For twenty-six years Mr. Manifold was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dur- ham, and took an active interest in all that per- tained to its upbuilding and growth, and gave liberally to its support. He was also a friend to benevolent and charitable institutions, and the needy were never turned from his door empty- handed. In his political views, he was a Repub- lican, but never sought or desired official distinc- tion, preferring to devote his entire time and at- tention to business interests. Whatever he un- dertook he carried forward to a successful com- pletion, undeterred by any obstacles that might arise in his path. His death occurred August 28, 1892. His widow now manages the estate. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/hancock/bios/manifold2854nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb