J. HENRY MANNING, farmer, section 27, Grant Township, was born Aug. 23, 1847, in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y. His parents, William and Rachel (Russell) Manning, were of English lineage and belonged all their lives to the farming community. They emigrated in 1849 to Lorain Co., Ohio, where the father died in 1867, aged 67 years. The mother is still residing there, 72 years old.
After he was 12 years of age, Mr. Manning was engaged in agricultural labors almost incessantly. He married Sept. 28, 1870, in Penfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, Sarah J., daughter of George W. and Thalia (Shaw) Allen. The parents were natives of New England, and during the youthful period of their lives their parents settled in Medina Co., Ohio, where they were married. Mrs. Manning was born April 16, 1849, in Hinkley Township, that county, and was educated there. She went to Lorain County at 17, and engaged in teaching, in which calling she made marked success.
Two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Manning came to Michigan and settled on 60 acres of land in Grant Township, situated in a dense, unbroken forest. The township was almost wholly unsettled, and Mr. Manning has toiled manfully in his pioneer capacity, until he has placed 40 acres of his estate under fair improvements.
He is a Democrat in politics, and has held the position of Clerk of Grant Township five years. The family includes the following children: Rowena M., born July 21 1871; Percy R., Oct. 15, 1874; Thalia, March 29, 1879; Willie, born Aug. 19, 1872, died Feb. 18, 1875.