John Mank

JOHN MANK. - Three decades of honest, earnest perseverance at one line of work in one place is sure to bring its reward. To John Mank, blacksmith of Rosedale, Kansas, it has brought a comfortable living, a competency laid by for a rainy day, and a respected position in the community.

John Mank is a German-American. He was born in Germany in 1859, a son of John and Elizabeth (Roeder) Mank, both natives of the same province in which he was born. His parents passed their lives and died in Germany, the father dying in 1868, the mother in 1900. They were farmers, and in their family were seven children. Of this number two died in infancy. Four of the sons came to this country: Peter, a retired cigar manufacturer of Terre Haute, Indiana; Henry, the first, who died in New York state in 1876; Henry, the second, a cabinet maker of Rosedale, Kansas; and John.

John Mank learned the trade of blacksmith in Prussia, Germany, and remained there until he was nineteen. Then he went to England, where he worked at his trade for three years and a half. In 1881 he came to this country. He traveled around for about a year, visiting various towns and cities, and in 1882 took up his residence in Rosedale, Kansas, where he at once opened a blacksmith shop, which he has since conducted. Here he soon gained a footing as a substantial and respected citizen, which he has maintained throughout the nearly thirty years of residence here. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has been honored by local official preference. He has served as city councilman and as a member of the Board of Education, at present being treasurer of the board, a position he has filled for four years. His religious training was in the Lutheran church, of which his parents were members, and to which he still adheres.

In 1885 Mr. Mank married Miss Sallie Beatty, who was born in Westport, Kansas, in 1859, a daughter of early pioneers of that place, her mother having settled there in 1830 and her father in 1842. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mank, two died in infancy. Those living are: Edith, at home; and Iva, a stenographer at Swift's Packing plant.