McMANNOMY, James - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

"Col. James McMannomy, probably the most prominent man in Fountain County, died on last Friday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William B. Coffing, in this city. He had not been sick long prior to his death which was the result of a general breaking down and disease incident to old age. When the disease heralded over the bounty, the news was sorrow in every home where the Colonel was acquainted.

Col. McMannomy lived well and long in this world and in his time was much of the growth of our county. He was a prominent part. He was born in Ross County, Ohio March 5, 1824. He was the youngest child of Patrick and Nancy McMannomy, both natives of Degnan County, Ireland. The education of this youth was very limited, most of his boyhood having been spent on the farm. When he was fourteen years of age, he came to Fountain County, and lived her until his death, except several years that he was in the service of his country and in the California gold fields. When he first came to the county, he entered the employ of his brother, John, who was building the Wabash Erie Canal. His brother, John, was a power in this state and county during those days and pushed to completion some very large contracts. In 1842, James went to New Orleans on a flat boat and then returned to his work on the canal and farm.

In 1846, he enlisted in Co. B, 2nd Regiment and departed for the Mexican War a on the 14th. The company which enlisted this locality was driven over land to Madison, Indiana by Lou Hetfield, a friend of Mr. McMannomy, from this point they went by boat. He was selected second lieutenant and after serving thirteen months, returned to the county.

Just about the time of his return the gold fever struck this section of the country and Mr. McMannomy was not long in acquiring the fund started overland for California. There he met with some interesting experiences. He was successful in the march for gold and when he returned to this county he purchased Section 28, Troy township, which he owned at the time of his death.

He was married February 8th, 1851, to Emaline Ward, daughter of John and Tamer Ward. His wife survives him, although she is nearly eighty years of age. To them tow children were born Divit, born May 14, 1856 and died March 12, 1874; Emma born November 8th, 1867, who is now the wife of William B. Coffing, of this city, and with whom the Colonel made his home during the past year. Two other children died in infancy.

In August 1863, the deceased enlisted in Co. H, 63rd Indiana Regt., for the civil war. He was immediately elected second-lieutenant and in twenty-eight days was elected lieutenant-colonel and later promoted to the position of Colonel, one of the highest offices in the army. He was compelled to leave the service in 1864 on account of his health and returned to his home here and took up farming on his land on an extensive scale. He has been very successful to everything which he undertook and amassed a large fortune before he died.

Mr. McMannomy was a member of Fountain Lodge No. 63, F & A.M. of this city and was one of the oldest members living. He became a member in 1851 and next to James Bodine, was the oldest living member in point of membership. He took his Master's degree on his wedding day.

In 1847 the "Raging Tads" was organized here and the Colonel was a member. The club consisted of twenty young men all about twenty years of age. They made arrangements to meet at a banquet on the night of every Thanksgiving and have done so every since. A bottle of port wine was sealed up and it was to be opened by the survivor. Fifty nine banquets have been held and the Colonel was present at the last one. Louis Hetfield of Hillsboro, is now the sole survivor and it will be his sorrowful duty to open the bottle of wine on next Thanksgiving. The last few meetings have been very sad ones and it was always a gamble as to which would outlive. The Colonel and Uncle Lou were like brothers to each other and his death weighs heavy upon the heart of Mr. Hetfield. The two of them made an agreement this spring, that the survivor would not banquet by himself, but would have with him the members of the family of both of them.

Due of the most notable acts of his life was the founding of the Horse Thief Detective Association. He assisted Sanford Gray, of Montgomery County in organizing this famous organization which will likely continue for all time to come. He was Captain of the Fountain County company, which office he held until his death. He was also one of the founders of the Fountain-Warren and Vermillion Agricultural Association and always took an active part in its welfare and management. He was a born leader and used the best of skill and judgment in managing everything with which he was connected.

In politics he was a democrat and was always an ardent supporter of his party. He never held any office in the party for he had no political aspirations.

He was not a member of any church; but always lived a true Christian life. One of his most valuable possessions was a prayer book given him by his mother, by whose guidance he became a most affectionate husband and father and one of the greatest joys of his later life was the happy moments spent with his four grandchildren.

Thus is the story of the life of Col. McMannomy briefly told and in conclusion we wish to say that he was one of the foremost men of the county, he was highly esteemed by everyone who knew him and was a man of recognized ability. As a soldier his conduct was above reproach and he made a brave and gallant officer. He was always to be found at the front and his duties were performed with promptness and judgment. His loss will be keenly felt by the community in which he lived and especially so by those who were closer to him by blood and association.

The funeral services were held on _____ morning from the residence of William B. Coffing. The high regard in which he was held was evidenced by the best of friends who gathered to pay their last sad rites to him. Persons of prominence were here from all parts of the county and other counties. The services were under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge. Rev. J. P. Henson preached the funeral sermon. The body was laid to rest in Prescott Grove Cemetery, where the deceased had already prepared his grave and marked by a large granite monument. Below is given a partial list of person who were here from other places to attend the funeral services: A. D. Sumner, H. J. Davidson, Harvey Scharf, J. D. Linville, John Wilt, W. D. Carter, J. Robinson, Dan Carpenter, Joseph Glascock, Dan Glascock, Louis Hetfield, Alex Hetfield, Humphrey Clubb, Pleasant Williams, Mrs. James Frazier, Frank Frazier, Albert Campbell, Dennis Rusk, and Bayless Carter, all of Hillsboro; James WIlkinson, Anse Madden, of Kingman; I. E. Schoonover, Dan Reed, Herman Briggs, Will Colvert and Edgar Webb, of Attica; S. H. Elwell, John Reath, James Philpott and C. S. McCormick, of Yeddo; Wm. Gray and John Bittenbender, of Newtown; Will Gray, Major Irvin, Andrew Marshall, of Veedersburg, Indiana; Judge Joseph M. Rabb and Judge McCabe, of Williamsport; Wm. Patterson, of Danville, Illinois; Ben James and Ellis Gray, of Waynetown, and a large number of others whose names we did not get.

The pall bearers consisted of eight of his old time friends and associates. They were Byron Russell, of Crawfordsville, Mark Rogers, Lou Hetfield, Capt. LaTourette, John Bilsland, Jas. Everly, James Bodine and J. L. Allen, all of this city."