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URIAH MANN - Among the well-tilled estates in Clear Lake Township, that of Uriah Mann is deserving of notice for its well-regulated appearance, both as regards the cultivation of the fields and the adequateness of the various buildings to the needs of a farmer and his family. It consists of two hundred acres of good land, which produce abundantly of the cereals which form the greater part of the crops in this section of the Prairie State, and presents a fruitful and beautiful appearance when clothed with waving grain. A good supply of fruit is obtained from the orchard, and the fruit and vegetable gardens are also made to yield well.

Before entering upon an account of the life of our subject, a few words regarding his parents will not be amiss. His father, Peter Mann, was born in Virginia in 1783, and when eighteen years old joined the Kentucky Colonists, being one of the first to settle in the forests of the Blue Grass State. Not only was wild game abundant, but savage foes lurked around, and the life of the frontiersman was beset with danger on every hand. Mr. Mann fought Indians when occasion demanded, and also bore a part in the War of 1812, spending about six months in Canada. He cleared about three hundred acres of the finest land on the bottoms of the north fork of the Licking River, and carried on farming quite extensively. His death took place in 1833, when he had reached the age of fifty years. He was married at the age of twenty-two to Elizabeth Gaitrell, a native of Virginia, who survived him ten years, dying in 1843 when sixty-two years old. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and were regarded as worthy of the esteem and friendship of their acquaintances. The family of the good couple included nine sons and daughters, four of whom are now living.

The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Bracken County, Ky., September 17, 1810, in the log house that was built by his father at an early day, and which was supplanted a few years later by a large and substantial brick dwelling, three and a half stories in height. The lad had but limited school privileges, a three-months' session being considered a long school, and even this being denied him after he had entered his teens. He has therefore been obliged to gain knowledge principally by his own efforts as a reader and observer. When twenty years old he went to New Orleans as hand on a flatboat, spent the winter in the Southern metropolis, and returning in the spring, passed the ensuing session in farming.

In the fall of 1831 young Mann came to this county, stopping at Springfield when that place was but small, and presented anything but an inviting appearance to strangers. He came to Clear Lake Township and entered land on section 25, and also secured eighty acres in Springfield Township. He had just $100 in capital when he arrived in the county, and on this small capital he began the enterprise which has succeeded in placing him among the substantial farmers of this section. He continued improving and adding to his real estate until he had secured seven hundred acres, for the greater part of which he paid about $12.50 per acre. Mr. Mann has paid considerable attention to stock raising, in earlier days driving his flocks and herds to St. Louis, Mo., which was also his grain market. He has driven as many as fifteen hundred hogs in a season, and hauled nine hundred bushels of wheat, disposing of it at thirty-five cents per bushel. In marketing his grain he was in the habit of driving a four-horse team, by which means he was enabled to carry seventy-five bushels on a trip.

Mr. Mann was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Elizabeth King, January 6, 1832. The bride was born in Kentucky, in the same neighborhood in which our subject spent his early life, and their childish friendship had ripened into a deeper affection as they grew in years. Their happy union was blessed by the birth of the following named sons and daughters: Peter, Sarah A., Thomas, Charles, Francis, William and Ellen. Thomas, William and Ellen have been called from time to eternity. The faithful wife and mother was called hence in 1861, at the age of forty-nine years. She was a member of the Church of Christ, and is held in loving remembrance by many to whom her virtues had endeared her.

On August 25, 1862, Mr. Mann was married to Ellen Brimbarger, a lady of intelligence, housewifely ability and Christian character. Mrs. Mann is a native of this State, and was born in Gallatin County, September 8, 1839, to John Brimbarger, a native of Kentucky, and Nancy (Willis) Brimbarger, who was born in Gallatin County, Ill. The union of our subject and his estimable wife has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, but two have preceded their parents to the silent land. The deceased are Grant and Elizabeth, and the survivors are Fanny B., Bettie J., Ethel M., Sonora H., Persis A., Dick Oglesby, Adaline T., Leeora and Mary L.

Our subject cast his first presidential ballot in 1832, his favored candidate being a Whig. In 1856 he joined the Republican ranks, in which he is still to be found. He has held various township offices, and in every position to which he has been called has manifested a desire to advance the interests of his constituents and the people at large. During the Black Hawk War he assisted in defending the homes of the settlers, enlisting under Levi Good. He enjoyed the personal acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln, with whom he had many a wrestling match, "Honest Old Abe" going to our subject to learn Kentucky tricks. Mr. Mann also sat on juries when Lincoln pleaded the cause of a client. The day before the newly elected President left for Washington, mr. Mann saw and shook hands with him, both being affected to tears at the parting.

Elsewhere in this volume the readers will notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Mann.