Two unrelated Manchester households appear in the Linn County histories. Dr. A. W. Manchester was born at Tiverton, Rhode Island, in 1847, the son of a sea captain who died mining in California; he came to Linn County about the close of the Civil War, studied at Cornell College and under a Waubeek doctor, and practiced medicine at Walker, where he opened the village drug store. In 1875 he married Alice Barnes, whose father Orsamus Barnes had crossed the plains to Colorado in 1859 and farmed in Grant Township from 1864. The second household began with John M. Manchester, a carpenter who came from Pennsylvania as a young man; his son Harry J., born at Lisbon, worked for the Rock Island railroad at Cedar Rapids and married Ida Fawcett in 1900. No sketch connects the two families. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Linn County history.
Earliest in the record
Orsamus Barnesborn 1821Most recent in our records
A. W. Manchesterborn 1847Each number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Parents of Dr. A. W. Manchester
Physician and druggist, Walker
A. W. MANCHESTER, M. D.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
In 1875 Dr. Manchester was united in marriage with Miss.Mice Barnes, a daughter of Orsamus and Alniira L. (Mitchell) Barnes. Her father was burn in Canandaigua. New York, March 5, 1821, and is a son of Anios and Jrme ( Mitchell ) Bar.ies, the former a native of Maine, the latter of New York. By trade Amos Barnes was a millwright. He removed with his family to Indiana when his son Orsamus was a child of seven years, but subsequently returned east, w'here his death occurred. His wife died near Freeport, Illinois. In their family were five children, of whom two still survive, these being the father of [Mrs. Manchester and his brother, Oliver C. a resident of Freeport, Illinois. Orsamus Barnes was reared and educated in Indiana and remained at home until nineteen years of age. working at anything which he could find to ilo. He then went to Illinois, where he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1859, when he crossed the plains to Colorado, and there engaged in mining for a number of years. His wife also crossed that vast American desert four times. In the fall of 1864 he came to Linn county. biwa, and purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in Grant township, forty-five acres of which was covered with timber. There he made h's home for ten years, but is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Manche.'ter. in Walker. His wife d'ed in January, 1900, and was buried there. They had only two children: Alice, wife of our subject: and Edwin, a tinner of Walker. Fraternally Mr. Barnes is a member of the Masonic order, and iiolitically is a supporter of the Republican i)arty. He cast his first presidential vote fi r Jojui 1'. Hale, the Freesoi! candidate, in 1844. and has always taken a deep and commendable intere.st in public affairs. For.seven years he efficiently served as trurrtee of Grant township.
Of the lour children born to the Doctor and his wife. Gifford died at the age of three months. Those living are George E., Jennie and Gail, all at home. When Dr. Manchester first came to Walker he opened a drug store, which he conducted for a number of years, and since disposing of that has carried a line of drugs for his own use. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious belief a Presbyterian. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging t) the blue lodge in Walker, and the chapter and commandery at Cedar Rapids, and he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at 'alter, in which he has served as nolile grand. Si)cially he is deservedly popular, as he is affable and courteous in manner, and possesses that essential qualification to success in public life, that of making friends readily and strengthening the ties of all friendships as time advances.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Father of Alice (Barnes) Manchester
Carpenter and builder
Railroad employee, Cedar Rapids
HARRY J. MANCHESTER
Harry J. Manchester, an employe of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company at Cedar Rapids, was born in Lisbon, this county, and is a son of John M. and Elmira (Withem) Manchester. The mother is now deceased. The father, who is a carpenter by trade, came from Pennsylvania to Iowa when a young man and here began work at carpentering. For a long period he was actively identified with building operations here, but is now living retired and makes his home with his son, Harrv J. Manchester.
At the usual ape. Harry J. Manchester began his education in the public schools, but his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited for when a youth of twelve years he went to work with horses and was employed in that way for a number of years. lie. has been identified with railroad interests much of" the time since 1894, in which year he became a fireman occupying that position for about live years. He was afterward with the Sinclair Packing Company for a time and later entered the service of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, with which he is now connected.
On the 30th of August, 1900. Mr. Manchester was united in marriage to Miss Ida Fawcett. a daughter of Jonas and Angeline (Parmer) Fawcett. The father came to Iowa when a young man from his old home in Belmont, Ohio, lie had learned the carpenter's trade and here turned his attention to contracting. Mr. Manchester and his wife are members of the Lutheran Evangelical church and take a very prominent and active part in the various lines of church work. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and to the Switchmen's Union. He is deeply interested in affairs relating to the progress and improvement of the city and he believes in upholding those measures which are equitable to all alike. He does not believe in class distinction in the eyes of the law, but seeks at all times to further general good.
As printed in the source3. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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