Citation: The Indiana GenWeb Project, Copyright ©1997-2009, Montgomery County Website http://ingenweb.org/inmontgomery/
MANSON, Mahlon Dickerson, 1820-1895
Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain County, Indiana
P 117
General Mahlon D. Manson. The life and character of the gentleman whose well known name opens this article may be studied with profit by the young, contemplated with satisfaction by the patriotic and referred to with pride by his kindred and friends. His name is honorably mentioned on many pages of the history of the late war and in the political life of the State of Indiana he has taken a prominent part. In private life he has sustained an unsullied reputation, and has deserved the confidence and good will of his fellow men. General Manson was born near Piqua, Miami County, Ohio Feb 18, 1818. His Christian name was given him as a mark of regard for Governor Mahlon Dickerson of NJ, who was Secretary of War under General Jackson. The father of our subject died when he was but 3 years old and he early became the support of his mother. After some years of his boyhood had been spent in mechanical pursuits, he became a druggist's clerk and soon after set up for himself in ! that business. In October, 1842, he removed to Indiana and taught school in Montgomery County. He studied medicine and attended a course of lectures in Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, and a partial second course in New Orleans. However, he did not practice medicine in Crawfordsville, but continued as a druggist. Upon the commencement of the war with Mexico, General Manson entered the service as Captain, Co I 5th Indiana regiment, Col. James H. Lane commanding with which he participated in the campaign with General Scott from Vera Cruz to the Capital. Upon his return to Crawfordsville at the close of the war he resumed his business as a druggist, and in 1851 was elected Representative from Montgomery County to the General Assembly. He served during the important sessions of 1851-52, in which the laws of the state were revised and which adopted the new constitution. In 1856 he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention which nominated Buchanan and Breckenri! dge. In 1860 he was an ardent supporter of Stephen A. Douglas, and when the war broke out he placed himself in the ranks of the union and took an active part in the recruiting of the first company raised in Montgomery County under General Lew Wallace. Two days afterward, in five hours he raised a company, with which he marched to Indianapolis. From the men he brought into camp, two companies of the 10th Indiana Regiment were formed, and Co. G elected Mr. Manson captain. Upon the organization of the regiment Mr. Manson was commissioned Major and within 10 days afterward was promoted to Colonel. Early in June his regiment was ordered to W. Va, and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. His regiment was placed in advance with General Rosecrans and on the 19t of Jan 1862, Col. Manson and his brigade participated in the battle of Mill Spring. After that battle the Union forces returned to Louisville and the ladies of that city presented the 10th Indiana with a beautif! ul flag, which was received by Col. Manson in behalf of his regiment. March 24, 1862, Col. Manson was appointed Brigadier General by President Lincoln and this promotion was valued, as it came to him without solicitation. To give the war record of this brave general would include the most brilliant and effective portion of the army's movements during those years. On the 14th of May 1864, the army corps with General Manson was connected moved upon the Confederate works at Resaca and it was at this place that this brave officer made one of those displays of courage which make patriots' hearts glow with pride. To show Gen. Haskell how he might best avoid the enemy's fire, General Manson sprang upon the works, when he was struck by a piece of shell upon the right shoulder and his arm was thereby disabled forever. Although he was carried off the field insensible, in a few days he resumed command, but he was finally obliged to enter the hospital at Nashville. He was there at t! he time of the battle of Franklin, but was later removed to Louisville, where he remained for 85 days and here, after having an operation performed, he became satisfied that he would not be able to again take his command and so Dec 21, 1864, he resigned. During his career Gen. Manson was never known to complain of any duty assigned to him, and he was distinguished for accuracy of judgment and promptness in action and was respected by his equals and loved by his men. Gen. Manson was nominated by the Democratic party in 1864 as their candidate for Lt. Governor, on a ticket headed by the late Joseph E. McDonald but while he ran ahead of his ticket, he was defeated. In 1866 he was nominated for Sec. Of State but was defeated and in 1868 he was nominated as a Candidate for Congress in the 9th District but the district was largely Republican and he was defeated. In 1870 he was again the Democratic candidate for Congress, and was elected over General Lew Wallace, and served in ! the 42nd congress. General Manson was a member of the Committee on Invalid Pensions and performed a great amount of labor, rendering great service to his disabled companions. In 1873 he was appointed and served as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee and in 1875 made its Chairman, in which capacity he served during the memorable campaign of 1876; he represented the state at large in the convention at St. Louis and supported the candidacy of Thomas A. Hendricks for the nomination for President. He was one of the number who went to New Orleans after the election in 1876 to represent Mr. Tilden and in that year he was elected to Auditor of the state with a plurality of votes amounting to 14,000. In 1884 he was elected Lt. Gov, but resigned to accept the office of Collector of Internal Revenue in TH District. In 1886 Pres. Cleveland appointed Thomas Hanlon Collector of Internal Revenue, but as he was not confirmed, Gen. Manson received the appointment the sam! e year. Our distinguished subject is a member of the commission in charge of building the Soldiers & Sailors' Monument at Indianapolis and by organization of the Mexican War Veterans of Indiana was unanimously selected to represent the period of the Mexican War on the monument. He has long been a prominent member of the Grand Army and became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1841, in which he has taken all of the degrees, including the 32 and has filled the offices in the subordinate as well as the Grand Lodge of the State. He was Deputy Grand Master for 2 years. Gen. Manson was united in marriage on the 24th of May 1850 with Miss Caroline Mitchell, a daughter of Joseph Mitchell of Crawfordsville. Mrs. Manson was born at Camden, Preble County, Ohio. Gen. And Mrs. Manson have had born to them 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, the eldest child and daughter being now deceased. Mrs. Manson for many years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. General ! Manson is a man of commanding presence, and until disabled by his wound, a man of strong constitution. His manner is frank and engaging, and he has an invaluable faculty, springing from the kindness of his heart and goodness of motive of making men feel at home when in his presence. An eloquent orator, he commands the attention, convinces the reason, arouses the enthusiasm and awakens the zeal of his hearers. A brave and gallant soldier, a prudent and conscientious statesman, a public spirited citizen, a faithful friend, an honest man in business, and a true man in all the relations of life, it is not surprising that he holds a high position in the esteem and affection of the people of the State. He rose from poverty to justly deserved eminence and the bright light which beats upon his life discovers no flaw in his character. Not by accident or aid of others, but by earnest toil, constant perseverance, through smoke and blood of battle, he has attained success in life, ! military, glory, political and social popularity and the love and honor of his fellow-citizens. Such men as he make all men their debtors.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
MANSON, Mahlon Dickerson, a Representative from Indiana; born in Piqua, Ohio, February 20, 1820; attended the common schools; moved to Montgomery County, Ind., and taught school for a year; studied medicine at the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati; served as captain of Volunteers in the Mexican War October 8, 1847-July 28, 1848; member of the State house of representatives 1851 and 1852; engaged in the retail drug business at Crawfordsville; commissioned captain of the Tenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, April 17, 1861, and promoted through the ranks to brigadier general of Volunteers March 24, 1862; resigned December 21, 1864; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Indiana in 1864; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second Congress (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1873); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1872 to the Forty-third Congress; elected auditor of Indiana in 1878; elected Lieutenant Governor in 1884; appointed collector of internal revenue of the seventh district of Indiana August 11, 1886, and resigned November 5, 1889; died in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Ind., on February 4, 1895; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mahlon Dickerson Manson (1820-1895) of Crawfordsville,
Montgomery County, Ind. Born in Miami County, Ohio, February 20,
1820. Democrat. Candidate for Indiana state house of
representatives, 1849; delegate to Democratic National Convention
from Indiana, 1856, 1876; general in the Union Army during the
Civil War; U.S. Representative from Indiana 7th District,
1871-73; Indiana state auditor, 1879-81; Lieutenant Governor of
Indiana, 1885-87. Died in Frankfort, Clinton County, Ind.,
February 4, 1895. Interment at Oak Hill Cemetery. See also:
congressional biography.
(The
Political Graveyard)
Mahlon Dickerson Manson was born February 20, 1820, in Piqua, Ohio. He received a common school education and later moved to Montgomery County, Indiana where he taught school for a year. He briefly studied medicine in Cincinnati at the Ohio Medical College. From October 8, 1847 to July 28, 1848, he served as captain of the 5th Indiana Volunteers in the Mexican War. He was a member of the State House of Representatives in 1851-1852 and was a druggist in Crawfordsville. Manson was mustered into service April 17, 1861, as captain of the 10th Indiana and promoted to colonel the following month. He led the regiment at the battle of Rich Mountain in July 1861 and the following January commanded a brigade at Fishing Creek, Kentucky in the defeat of Confederate General F. K. Zollicoffer. He was promoted to Brigadier General March 24, 1862. Colonel Manson was wounded and captured October 30, 1862, in Richmond after his horse took a bullet to the head and rolled on top of him, and he was not exchanged until December. Upon his return to the field, he faced General John Pegram who was plundering beef cattle. Manson commanded the XXIII Corps in Knoxville and a brigade of Cox's division of the corps (now the Army of Ohio) in the Atlanta campaign. On May 14, 1864, he was severely wounded by the explosion of a shell near Resaca, Georgia. Unable to return to service, he resigned December 21, 1864. Mahlon Dickerson Manson was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Indiana in 1864. He served in Congress from March 4, 1871 to March 3, 1873, but was defeated in his attempt for re-election. He was elected auditor of Indiana in 1878, Lieutenant Governor in 1884, and was appointed collector of internal revenue of the seventh district of Indiana on August 11, 1886. He resigned that position November 5, 1889. Manson died February 4, 1895, in Crawfordsville and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Lebo Enterprise, February 21, 1895
General Manson Dead.
The Delphi Ind., Journal reports the death of General Manson, who was a cousin of our merchants, J. M. Manson, and of Dr. Manson of Burlington, and Mahlon, of Neosho township, this county:
He died at Frankfort Monday evening. He had been to Monticello with Col. W. F. Bush, Crawfordsville, and when at noon Monday they boarded the Monon south-bound train the General told his companion that he felt drowsy. Two seats were turned together and the General made a pillow of his overcoat and fell into what was thought to be a gentle sleep. It was the sleep of death. The feet of the great old man had entered the dark waters and when the train reached Frankfort it was impossible to arouse him. He was carried from the train to the hotel where he died in a few hours.
God bless the memory of General Manson. He was one of those rough sturdy patriots whose sympathy and devotion was the salvation of the Union a third of a century ago. With him patriotism was a passion. He was strong and brave and true and his strength and bravery and truth and goodness, he offered to his country and to his country's flag in the hour of need. Left fatherless when an infant, his education was secured from the book of stern necessity. His was a struggle for existence: He faced the world and want, and won. No man ever lived who placed a higher value on our republican institutions and was prouder of our national glory. He embraced the first opportunity to enlist in the war with Mexico and was in the Mexican capital when the American flag was first unfurled over that city the signal of its capture. Although the champion of Douglass, he offered his services to Lincoln when Sumpter fell and never once flinched in his felty to the cause of the Union and the constitution. He never shirked a duty or responsibility either as a soldier or a citizen. He was a plain, blunt honest, patriotic man. He hated form and conventionality. He despised fawners and hypocrites. He never wore borrowed livery. The old hero loved children. I have seen him a score of times stop on the streets of Crawfordsville to shake the hands of little boys and girls. His heart was as tender as his courage was unflinching. He was universally beloved and honored. Again I say God bless the memory of General Manson.
Atlas of Montgomery County (Chicago: Beers, 1878) p 54
MANSON, MD PO Crawfordsville, Crawfordsville, Farmer, native of Miami Co Ohio settled int his co. 1842.
Crawfordsville Daily Journal, Feb 13, 1895
This morning the will of the late General MD Manson was admitted to probate. The will is regularly signed and witnessed by WT Brush and AF Ramsey. It provided in the first instance for the payment of all debts and just claims against the estate. After such are satisfied he devises and bequeaths all his property real, person and mixed to his wife, Caroline Manson. The provisions of the will give her absolute power to dispose of the property by sale, deed of gift or will. There is a provision, however, that if she die without disposing of all that such property go to his children and their heirs according to the laws regulating the inheritance of property, after taking into consideration the advancements already made to each. The will states the advancements made as $3,500 to each of his children except Mrs. VanHook, deceased, who received $2,000 and her sons $900 and $700 respectively. Mrs. Caroline Manson is named as executrix The estate is a large and valuable one.
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