My Genealogy Hound

Isam Manning, farmer, Poplar Grove, Ark. This much-respected and esteemed citizen was originally from Indiana, where his birth occurred in 1822, and was principally reared in Phillips County, Ark., whither he had removed with his parents in 1834. His education was received in the private schools, and when twenty-three years of age he commenced farming for himself on his own land. In 1846 he went to Mexico as a soldier in Capt. Preston’s Company, Col. Yell’s First Arkansas Regiment, and was at the battle of Buena Vista. He was in the service one year and came home in 1847. In February of the following year he was married to Miss Lucinda Bailey, daughter of Thomas and Milly Bailey, of Kentucky, and became the father of three children, only one now living: John, who is a farmer and resides in Johnson County, Ark. Mrs. Manning died in 1857, and in May of the following year Mr. Manning was married to Miss Samantha Thomas, daughter of W. A. Thomas, a native of Georgia. To the second marriage were born eleven children, six now living: Biddie (wife of Robert McGinnis), Walter, Etta, Jessie, Edmond and Robert. In 1859 Mr. Manning bought his present property, consisting of 400 acres, and now has 200 acres improved, with a splendid frame residence, outbuildings, etc. He has a gin on his place, with which he did his own and some custom ginning until this year. He raises on his home place about thirty bales of cotton yearly, and up to this year ginned, on an average, about seventy-five bales per year. Besides his home farm, Mr. Manning is the owner of 620 acres of land, with 100 acres improved. He did not serve in the late war, but lost a great deal of property. He is a liberal donator to all laudable enterprises, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Wheel, and in his political views affiliates with Democratic party. His parents, William and Jane (Elliott) Manning, moved to Arkansas in 1834, and rented land on Big Creek, close to what is now Middle Bridge, where there was a ferry kept by a man by the name of James Hanks. The country at that time was wild and unsettled, bear, panther, wolves, deer, etc., were plenty all over the county, and Helena was a small place with only two dry-goods stores there, kept by Judge McKinzie and F. & M. Hanks. There was several saloons and grocery stores, and population numbered about 250. Mr. Manning remained here about two years, and then went to Mississippi, where he remained but one year. He never bought or entered land in this county. He died in 1843, at the age of forty-seven years. His widow afterward married in (1847) a Mr. Mosby, of Phillips County. She died in 1853, at the age of fifty-five years.