BIO: S. M. MANIFOLD, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
_______________________________________________ 

History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, historical editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
_______________________________________________ 

Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 34-35

S. M. MANIFOLD, superintendent of the York & Peach Bottom Railroad, is a native 
of Hopewell Township, and was born in 1842.  His ancestors are of Scotch-Irish 
and English origin, and were early settlers in the southern portion of York 
County.  Upon his father's side, his grandfather was Henry Manifold, a farmer of 
Hopewell Township, and upon his mother's, Samuel Martin, a well-known 
Presbyterian minister, and a resident of Lower Chanceford Township.  His parents 
were Joseph and Rebecca (Martin) Manifold, the former a native of Hopewell and 
the latter of Lower Chanceford Township.  They resided in the lower end of York 
County all their lives.  The mother died in 1869, and the father in 1884.  They 
were the parents of six children (four of whom are living): Samuel N. (being the 
eldest), Margaret J., Keziah A. and William F. (a farmer of Lower Chanceford), 
Mrs. Rosanna Dougherty (deceased) and Alexander (deceased).  Our subject was 
reared upon a farm and obtained a common school education.  He remained engaged 
in agricultural pursuits until 1863, when he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was in active service until the close of the war, 
participating in several severe battles, the principal of which were Cold 
Harbor, the battles before Petersburg, Poplar Grove Church and with Gen. Warren 
when he destroyed the Weldon Railroad.  When he was mustered out he held his 
commission as second lieutenant, and for four months subsequently was engaged in 
the provost marshal's office at Campbell Court House.  Returning to his home he 
engaged in farming in Lower Chanceford until 1872, when he accepted a 
subordinate position with the engineer corps, then surveying the York & Peach 
Bottom Railroad.  Possessing no practical knowledge of the business of this 
period, he so applied himself to its study that he was soon after made assistant 
engineer and subsequently chief; under his charge, the last twenty miles of the 
road were built, and the Peach Bottom Railroad, on the east side of the river, 
completed.  Soon after the road was finished, in 1878, he was appointed 
superintendent, which office he still holds; under his supervision all of the 
many improvements have been made, and the improved condition of the road fitly 
attests to his executive ability.  Mr. Manifold was united in wedlock in 1874 
with Miss Sallie Gregg, a native of Chester County, Penn.  They have three 
children living: Howard, Rosealmo and Myra.  The family are members of the 
Presbyterian Church.