MANN, John Thomas - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

He whose name introduces this review was born at Leighton-Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England, January 30, 1831, being the second son of the four children of Abraham and Mary Mann, who are represented elsewhere in this work.  His education was largely acquired in his native country, although his parents came to the new world when he was only about a year old.  His parents wishing him to enjoy educational privileges which could not be secured in the pioneer district in which they lived, sent him back to his native land, where he remained as a student for a number of years, mastering the branches of learning which would prepare him for the practical and responsible duties of a successful business career.  When his education was completed he once more came to America, taking up his residence in the homestead villa, which had been erected by his father and in connection with his brother, Abraham Mann, Jr., he entered upon his business career.  He always lived upon the old family homestead and the brothers were closely associated in extensive agricultural and commercial pursuits, making a specialty of the raising of cattle.  John T. Mann became a great lover of stock and a most excellent judge of cattle, horses and hogs.  He learned readily to recognize the fine points of a domestic animal and he studied closely their needs and the conditions which would produce the best grades of stock.  He had both a scientific and practical understanding of the business and his opinions were regarded as authority on matters relating to stock over a wide territory of Illinois.  The brothers made extensive purchases and after fattening their stock sold to the city markets.  They bought all over the southern part of the state and then shipped to Chicago, where they never failed to command the highest market prices because of the excellent condition of the hogs, cattle and horses, which were sent to the western metropolis from the Mann farm.  

Living in Vermilion county in pioneer days Mr. Mann could remember seeing large herds of deer running over the farm, while wolves were frequently killed and other kinds of wild animals were hunted.  Various kinds of wild game were also to be had in abundance and pioneer conditions everywhere existed.  The homes of the settlers were widely scattered and many of the early residents lived in log houses, in fact, such was the primitive home of the Mann family, but after a few years it was replaced by a large and pleasant country farm residence.  

John Thomas Mann was united in marriage to Miss Martha Cable, who was born on the 21st of December, 1846, in Long Crendan, Buckinghamshire, England, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Sanders) Cable, who were natives of Bedfordshire, England, and came to America in 1855, locating in Attica, Indiana, where they remained for four years, the father there devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits.  At the end of that time he went with his family to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he remained for two years and then took up his abode in Rossville, this state, which was his place of residence for three years.  At the end of that time he removed to Salt Fork, near Danville, where he lived for thirteen years, next becoming a resident of Homer, Illinois, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days.  They were the parents of eight children.  After his marriage Mr. Mann took his bride of the home farm, living with his brother in the large family mansion.  They had two children:  Abraham, who was born May 15, 1869, and died November 17, 1889; and Mary Ann, who was born April 18, 1871, and died February 23, 1890.  Mr. Mann passed away on the 19th of October, 1873, and his wife’s death occurred in Santa Barbara, California, on the 27th of March, 1877.  Both were laid to rest in the family burying ground on the old homestead.

Mr. Mann enjoyed more than local reputation as a splendid marksman and a great hunter.  He always kept a pack of grey hounds and deer dogs and at different times killed a large number of deer.  Hunting was one of his most enjoyable sources of recreation.  While he was deeply interested in his county and its advancement he never sought or desired office and in fact steadily refused to serve in any position of a political character.  He took a very active interest in school work, however, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart friend, and he held membership in the Methodist church and by his presence as well as his material assistance aided in the upbuilding of the cause of Christianity.  No worthy cause ever sought his co-operation in vain, and, while he did not believe in an indiscriminate giving which often fosters vagrancy and idleness, he was a most charitable and benevolent man and to those who were really needy or in distress he rendered ready and generous assistance.  He possessed many excellent traits of character, not the least of which was his close adherence to the golden rule.  He made it his course of action in business as well as in private and social life and no word was ever uttered against the honor and integrity of John Thomas Mann.  His life record is one indeed well worthy of emulation and through the forty-two years of his residence in Vermilion county he so endeared himself to his fellow citizens that the ties of friendship were only broken by death and his memory is still cherished by those who knew him.