Lake County Ohio GenWeb

Heman J. Manchester

This biography is taken from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio, Embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake; Lewis Publishing Company, 1893.

Transcribed and submitted by Becky Falin, 1996.

Heman J. Manchester, Vice President [of the Western Reserve Nursery], and one of the prominent and well-to-do men of Perry township, Lake county, Ohio, forms the subject of this article. Of his life and ancestry we make the following record:

Heman J. Manchester was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1841, son of Orsemus Manchester, and grandson of Leonard Manchester, both natives of New York and both farmers by occupation. His grandfather was engaged in teaming in Albany, New York, and also dealt extensively in horses. He died at about the age of eighty-five. The father of Heman J. cleared and improved several farms in Otsego county, New York. He was a hard-working man all of his life. In 1854 he came to Lake county, Ohio, first settling in Madison township, and subsequently removing to Perry township. He is now eighty-one years old and is still quite active. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah A. Wickam, and who was a native of New York State, died in 1855. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Of their four children, Heman J. is the oldest.

Mr. Manchester was a youth of fourteen years when his parents took up their abode in Lake county, and after coming here he attended the district schools for some time, and for two years was a student at the Madison Seminary. He was just budding into manhood when the war broke out, and August 9, 1862, he tendered his services to his country, and became a member of Company C, First Ohio Light Artillery. He joined the command at Louisville, Kentucky, then under General Buell, and after the battle of Perryville was under Rosecrans. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Roan Forks, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach-Tree Creek, etc. He was under Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, and with him on the memorable march to the sea, after which he was one of the victorious soldiers who took part in the grand review at Washington. He was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, June 20, 1865.

Mr. Manchester was married May 16, 1867, to Lucy E. Haskell, who was born on the farmon which they now reside. Her parents, Eli B. and Elvira (Smith) Haskell, were natives of Massachusetts, the former of Worcester county and the latter of Berkshire county. Her father was one of the early pioneers of Perry township, this county, having come here when he was fourteen years old. His whole life was characterized by honest industry. In the dense forest he built his cabin home and developed a fine farm, and at one time he was worth $25,000. When he started out in life the only capital he had was $1 which his father gave him. He was an honest, upright man in every sense of the word; politically, a Republican; religiously, a Baptist, being a Deacon in the church for many years. He died at his home in this township, March 8, 1891, aged eighty- three years. His wife passed away in 1889, at the age of eighty. They reared eight children, namely: Gardner, deceased; Olinthus H., who was killed at Chickamauga, October 10, 1863; Sarah A.; Elizabeth E., deceased; Lucy E.; Eli B., Jr. Herbert P. and Samuel A. Mr. and Mrs. Manchester have had three children, viz: Gertrude, deceased; Sadie, and Clyde, deceased.

Mr. Manchester has been engaged in farming all of his life. His present farm is composed of 100 acres, all improved and devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He has a commodious frame residence, nice barns, etc., and everything conveniently arranged for successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits.

As was stated at the beginning of this sketch, Mr. Manchester is vice-president of the Western Reserve Nursery. He became connected with this establishment in 1892, and now devotes his chief attention to it. This is one of the largest nurseries in the United States, covering a tract of 401 acres, and controlling business extending into all the States and Territories in the Union, besides many foreign countries. He is also one of the stockholders of the Perry Cheese Factory.

Mr. Manchester and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he affliliates with Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee. He is a member of the O.H. Haskell Post, No. 462, G.A.R., of Perry, which post was named in honor of his brother-in-law, who was killed in battle.