Lemuel Mcmanness

During his forty years of identification with the business interests of Findlay, the gentleman above mentioned has been a conspicuous figure in the Aarious walks of life. Though at present absorbed in !he management of his rake factory and stone quarry, he has in his time "played many parts" and it is not llattery to say that he has played them all worthily and well. His business experiences range from clerking in a grocery store to management of important productive plants, and his office-holding career embraces service both as city clerk of Findlay and sheriff of. Hancock comity. This was flavored by abundant war experience in youth, during which, as incumbent in various responsible clerical positions, he was introduced to the mysteries of leediiikj and managing a big army.

The family of McAlanness, which is of Irish origin, was first represented in America by James McManness, who came over during the latter part of the eighteenth century, and died in Pennsylvania about 1820. He left a son named John McManness, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, came to Hancock county, Ohio, in 1856, and there followed cabinet-making until his deiith, on January 1, 1866.

Lemuel McManness, son of the last mentioned, was born in Plainfield, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, and consequently was ten years old when brought to Hancock county by his parents. The latter located at Findlay and there Lemuel was attending school when the Civil war storm disturbed all ordinary occupations. In January, 1862, he secured a place as clerk in the sutler's department of the Fifty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in that capacity about eighteen months. Being then appointed clerk in the office of the quartermaster of the army of the Cumberland, he retained that position a year and next entered the office of the medical purvor, at that time located on Lookout Mountain. He continued with the surveyor's department about one year and a half, or until the close of the war, when he returned directly to his home at Findlay. He succeeded without difficulty in securing a clerkship in a grocery store and worked for his employer until 1870, when he made his first business venture on his own account by establishing a rival grocery store. This he conducted with more or less success for thirteen years, until he disposed of his stock and embarked in the mrinufacture of Hnseed oil, which at that time was a new indtistry at Findlay. From 1889 until November, 1891, he was engaged in the touring mill business, having purchased the interest of Judson Palmer in the Findlay mill. This mill was destroyed by fire in November, 1891. About the same time he started a rake factory and between these various employments was kept busy until 1891, when he disposed of his oil interests, and in 1895 retunied to the grocery business. In 1898 he became interested in a stone quarry, a year later retired from the grocery business and since then has devoted all his time to the quarry and the rake factory. These establishments are important contributions to the industries of Findlay, as they employ a number of hands and the sale of the products is an item of consequence in the general commerce of the city. Mr. IMcManness has found time during his busy career to pay some attention to politics, in w'lich lie has figured conspicuously on the Republican side. His fellow partisans gave him the nomination for city clerk in 1870 and after a spirited race he was elected. At the expiration of his first term, having served satisfactorily, he was again put forward and endorsed by re-election. This excursion into city politics was followed by a more ambitious effort in the general field, embracing the whole of the county and in this enlarged sphere Mr. McManness was foUow-ed by his usual good fortune. In 1884 he was nominated as his party's candidate for sheriff of Hancock county, made a successful race and served in that office a full term of two years.

December 16, 1875, Mr. TcManness was married at Findlay, to Amanda E. Kinimons, by whom he has two children: Katie and Frank. While the foregoing outline will give some notion of Mr. McManness's busy life and his contributions to the industrial growth of his community, it is no more than his due to add a word or two of general commendation. It is a common remark at Findlay that he is the best known man in Hancock county, an acquaintance which naturally lias grown out of his long residence and prominent connections both with business and politics. But what is more to the purpose is the fact that Mr. McManness, in spite of the friction inseparable from party politics and the rivalry of business, has shown singular tact in avoiding enmities and securing friendships, with the result that while the best known he is also one of the best liked men in the county.

As printed in A Centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio : embellished with portraits of many well known people of Hancock County, who have been or are prominent in its history and development (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEMUEL McMANNESS, one of Findlay’s stable business men, manager of the Mc- Manness Milling and Grain Company, has been identified with many important interests in both city and county and in 1884 was elected to the important office of sheriff. Mr. McManness was born in 1846, at Plainsfield, Cumberland County, Pa., a son of John and a grandson of James McManness, the latter of whom came from Ireland to America, in 1776.

Lemuel McManness was ten years old when his parents came to Ohio and settled at Findlay, where his father engaged in business as a cabinetmaker. In 1862, before his school days were over, he obtained a position as clerk in the sutler’s department of the 57th O. Vol. Inf., and after efficient service in that position for more than a year, he was made clerk in the office of the quartermaster of the Army of the Cumberland, and one year later was given a clerical position in the office of the medical department. When the war closed, Mr. McManness returned to Findlay and for about five years engaged in clerking for Davis & Green, after which, in 1870, he embarked in the grocery business for himself, which he discontinued thirteen years later in order to enter into the manufacture of linseed oil. In 1889 he bought the Findlay flour mill and conducted it until it was destroyed by fire in November, 1891. In 1895 he resumed business in the grocery line which he continued until 1898, when he also became interested in a stone quarry, and in 1905 he became identified with the milling and grain business which bears his name and of which he is the capable manager. The McManness mill is equipped with improved machinery and its capacity is 150 barrels per day, employment being given to eight men. The special brands of flour manufactured are the “Bob White” and the “Calla Lily.”

Mr. McManness’ activity in commercial life has been supplemented by his interest in public matters, for he has been a public-spirited and progressive citizen. In 1870 he was elected city clerk, to which office he was reelected, and in 1884 he was elected sheriff of Hancock County. In his public life as well as in his private affairs, Mr. McManness has followed out practical, common sense ideas and his whole career has been one to reflect only credit upon him.

Mr. McManness was married in 1875, to Miss Amanda E. Kimmons, of Findlay, and they have two children. The family home is located at No. 838 South Main Street, Findlay. In his political affiliation he is a Republican and he has been an important factor in party councils.

As printed in Twentieth century history of Findlay and Hancock County and representative citizens (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.