Silas J. Mann
Silas J. Mann, whose death on December 1, 1900, was mourned by the citizens of Harlem Township as a sad and irreparable loss to the community, was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served with honor and credit. and was one of the leading agriculturists in Delaware County which had been his home throughout nearly the entire of his life. He was born in Harlem Township. Delaware County, Ohio, December 31, 1838, was a son of Abijah and Betsey (Adams) Mann, and grandson of Shuah and Nancy (Oldham) Mann.
Shuah Mann, the grandfather, was a native of New Jersey, where he lived and followed farming lor many years. He finally moved to Franklin County. Ohio, where he was elected justice of the peace and served continuously in that capacity 21 years, and although he had attended school but 11 days in his life, he discharged the duties of his office so intelligently and conscientiously that not a single one of the many cases decided by him was reversed on appeal. He married Nancy Oldham, who was also born in New Jersey. Her father was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and during his lifetime served nine years as constable, five years as justice of the peace, and three years as sheriff of his county. To this union were born 12 children. Mr. Mann died in August, 1865, and was survived by his widow. Religiously, they were of the Methodist faith and a church workers.
Abijah Mann was born near Paterson, New Jersey, July 22, 1813, and was there reared until eighteen years of age, attending the common schools and then being engaged in charcoal burning and cutting hoop-poles. At that age, with a brother, he ran off with a man who was engaged in buying stock and came West. In 1835 he landed in Licking County, Ohio, where he commenced working out by the month, but in a short time his father came out to take the boys back home. Abijah would consent to return only on condition that his father would dispose of his property in New Jersey and move to Ohio, and the latter after an investigation into the character of the land and the prospects in this new country finally acquiesced. Returning to his old home, Abijah Mann served as apprentice at masonry until the following year when the family moved to Franklin County, Ohio. There he lived until his marriage, after which he went to Chicago, Illinois, and worked at his trade, helping build the first brick house erected there. He was offered forty acres of land if he would locate in that now great city, whose future greatness he little realized, and he declined the offer. He returned to Ohio, locating in Harlem Township, Delaware County, where he set up housekeeping, making most of the furniture they used, himself. He continued farming and worked at his trade until 1852, then went west to Iowa, where he purchased 250 acres of land. He continued his journey west to California, where in the gold fields he made the money to pay for his purchase. Upon his return to Iowa in 1854, he found his land had trebled in value, and sold out. He again came back to Delaware County, Ohio, and purchased 110 acres lying a quarter of a mile west of Centerville. on which he thereafter resided until his death, January 16, 1874. His wife, whose maiden name was Betsy Adams, died here in 1866. They were parents of 10 children, as follows; Abijah; Silas J., our subject; Lucy A. (Swickard); Newton; Dr. Henry L.; Madary D.; Nathan A.; Isadora Ann (Edwards); Norman N., deceased; Nancy E. Abijah, the eldest of the family, was born in 1836 and died in 1838. The remainder, except Norman N., grew to maturity.
Lucy A., the eldest daughter of Abijah and Betsy Mann, was born in Harlem Township, Delaware County, Ohio, July 4, 1841. After her marriage in September, 1859, to Davis W. Swickard, they moved to Pike County, Ohio, and later to Colony, Kansas. Newton Mann, son of Abijah and Betsy Mann, was born March 19, 1844, and when 17 years of age entered Ohio Wesleyan University, teaching and attending school for five years. After graduation he spent one season in lecturing, appearing in many of the cities of the State. In 1866 he went west to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he taught school and read law under the preceptorship of judge Gardner. He was admitted to the Bar in 1868 and embarked in practice. He located at Tonganoxie, Kansas, where he served some years as police judge, and in 1876 was elected judge of the Leavenworth County Court, again moving to the county seat. There he resided until his death, being one of the most prominent residents of that city. He was a member of the Christian Church. In 1871, Judge Mann married Elizabeth Wambaugh, by whom he had three children.
Henry L. Mann, fifth child born to Abijah and Betsy Mann, was born June 7, 1847, and at the age of 18 years left home, going to Hardin County, where he clerked in a store for a time. He then returned to Delaware County and engaged in teaching in the public schools, at the same time attending school himself. He read medicine under the direction of Dr. Andrews, of Westerville, and in February, 1875, graduated with the second highest honors from Starling Medical College of Columbus. The same year he embarked in practice at Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he rose to high standing in his profession. During President Garfield's administration he was appointed medical examiner in the United States Pension Office, June 6, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Ingerham, a daughter of Dr. Ingerham, of Coshocton, Ohio.
Madary D. Mann, son of Abijah and Betsy Mann, was born October 15, 1850, and received a superior educational training. He attended school at Reynoldsburg, and subsequently pursued a course of study in Otterbein University at Westerville. In 1875 he went to Kansas and engaged in teaching school for nine months, at the end of which time he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After graduation from that institution in March, 1877, he located at Paulding, Ohio, and the following year was elected prosecuting attorney of Paulding County. October 10, 1878, he was joined in marriage with Alice McMillen of Paulding. They are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.
Nathan A. Mann, the next in order of birth, was born August 24, 1852, and at the age of 20 years engaged in the sale of sewing machines and organs. After one year at that work he entered Otterbein University at Westerville, and in 1875 entered the law department of the University of Michigan, in the same class as his elder brother. After graduation in March, 1877, he went west to Leavenworth, Kansas, to engage in practice with his brother. Judge Mann, under the firm name of Mann & Mann.
Isadora Ann (Mann) Edwards was born February 11, 1856, and after completing a common school education attended Otterbein University at Westerville. She later taught in the public schools and also served as superintendent of the Sabbath school of the M. E. Church at Centerville. She was married to Mr. L. S. Edwards and now resides in Los Gatos, California.
Nancy E. Mann, the youngest of the family of Abijah Mann and his faithful wife, was born August 18, 1861, and attended the schools at Westerville, Ohio. In 1877 she went west to Leavenworth, Kansas, where her brothers were located, and there completed a course in music, becoming an accomplished musician. She also is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Silas J. Mann, the direct subject of this sketch, was reared in Harlem Township, and there received his educational training in the common schools. He remained on his father's farm until the war broke out, then on August 8, 1862, responded to his country's call by enlisting in Company G, Forty-fifth regiment, O. V. I. He participated in numerous important engagements and on July 4, 1863, accompanied his regiment in the memorable pursuit of the Morgan raiders, in which they were on the march constantly for 28 days. During that time they passed through the States of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, a distance of fourteen hundred miles, making an average of 50 miles per day, a truly remarkable accomplishment. This long tramp proved too much for many of the soldiers, among them being Mr. Mann, who was incapacitated for some time. On November 23, 1864, he was transferred to the Eighth Veteran Reserve Corps, stationed at Camp Douglas, Chicago, and while in the service there became a member of the Post band. This band played for twenty days at the Northwest Sanitary Fair, and established an enviable reputation. July 4, 1865, at the close of the war, Mr. Mann was honorably discharged and at once returned to his home in Delaware County, Ohio. He was married in the fall of the same year and set up housekeeping in Centerville, where he remained until he located on the farm in Harlem Township, where he died. He owned 150 acres of land, upon which he made extensive improvements, erecting a large modern home, a substantial barn and outbuildings. He farmed according to up-to-date methods and was ever classed with the progressive element of the people, among whom he stood foremost.
September 21, 1865, Silas J. Mann was joined in marriage with Miss Julia A. Stansell, who was sixth of a family of nine children born to George Stansell and his wife, her natal day being October 1, 1841. Her father was born in Palmyra, New York, in 1798, died September 10, 1855, and was survived fourteen years by his widow. Mr. and Mrs. Silas J. Mann became the parents of two sons, namely: Arthur C. born August 14, 1870; and Jasper D., born February 5, 1876. Both are men of educational attainments. They attended the district schools in the vicinity of their home, alter which they engaged in teaching for a number of years, then supplementing their education by a course of study in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. They reside on the home place and are successfully engaged in farming, although they have frequently, in the past, taken many pleasure trips to different parts of this country. visiting points of historical interest and scenic beauty. They are broad minded men and have always evinced an earnest interest in the development and improvement of their home community. Mr. and Mrs. Mann also reared an orphan girl, Miss Daisy P. Cochran, who was born August 20, 1875, and is a daughter of Thomas and Emma Cochran.
Silas J. Mann took a deep interest in the public affairs of his township and county, and not infrequently was called upon to serve in official capacity. He was an active Republican in politics, and was elected on the ticket of that party as township trustee, serving seven years, and as a member of the Board of Education of Harlem Township. He was elected county commissioner in November, 1888, and reelected in November, 1891, serving two full terms. That he discharged the duties of his office in an efficient and satisfactory manner is attested by the fact that in 1895 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term of nine months in the same capacity. He served as president of the Delaware Agricultural Society two years, and was director of that body three years. Fraternally, he held membership with Galena Lodge, No. 404, I. O. O. F.; Centerville Lodge No. 645. K. P.: and Charles SIack Post, No. 59, G. A. R.. at Galena. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his family also belong.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908