Since 1882 Martin E. MANNASMITH has operated a finely improved farm on section 7, Bloomington township [Decatur County], and he is recognized as an able and successful agriculturist. He was born in Marion county, Ohio, January 3, 1850, a son of Peter and Julia Ann (DENMAN) MANNASMITH, the former a native of Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio and the family continued to reside there until 1860, when they with three other families came by wagon to Decatur county, Iowa. The father followed agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred about eighteen years ago [circa 1897] when he was sixty-seven years old. He was a democrat in his political belief and took a commendable interest in public affairs. His wife died in Ohio in 1854, leaving four sons, Martin E., James, John and Isaac, all of whom are living, but only our subject resides in this [Decatur] county. The father was again married, his second wife being Miss Susan McLAUGHLIN, whose family is mentioned elsewhere in this work. She died a year or two before her husband. To them were born five children, four daughters and one son, of whom two daughters are living.

Martin E. MANNASMITH continued his education for a short time after his removal to Decatur county with the family in 1860, but since he was twelve years of age he has been dependent upon his own resources and has worked diligently and indefatigably. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and on the 8th of March, 1882, removed to his present farm on section 7, Bloomington township. The place formerly comprised one hundred and sixty acres, but he has now disposed of eighty acres thereof. He operates the remaining eighty acres and is very successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, as he is energetic and progressive.

Mr. MANNASMITH was married in this [Decatur] county on the 29th of December, 1874, to Miss Sarah MAY, who was born near Davis City in New Buda township, on the 4th of June, 1857, and is a daughter of John and Clarissa (JORDAN) MAY, who settled in Decatur county early in the '50s. They were the parents of nine children, but only Mrs. MANNASMITH is now living. She attended the common schools and remained at home until her marriage. Her parents were devout Methodists and reared their children in the Christian faith, making it a practice to conduct family worhip. Mr. and Mrs. MANNASMITH have three children, Dena May, who was born December 5, 1875, is the wife of John BURKE, a farmer of Ringgold county. John Alexander was born February 28, 1878, and was married in January, 1913, to Miss Eula SHACKLETT. He is the carrier on rural route No. 3 from Kellerton and resides in that city. Clarence Alfred was born December 24, 1879, and is assistant cashier of the Ringgold County Bank of Kellerton.

Mr. MANNASMITH is a democrat and has held a number of local offices, discharging his duties with capability and conscientiousness. He belongs to lodge No. 425, I.O.O.F., at Kellerton, and has many friends throughout the county, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth. The success that he has gained is doubly creditable in that he began his business career without capital and without the aid of influential friends.

The Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, January 1, 1925

One of the most pleasant and happy occasions of the season took place Sunday, December 28th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mart MANNASMITH, well-known residents of Kellerton. It being their golden wedding anniversary, a complete surprise was planned and carried out. The intimate friends and loved ones met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Will HALE with well-filled baskets and at 12:30 marched to the MANNASMITH home and entered the front door, went to the kitchen, left their baskets and returned to the dining room to greet the bewildered bride and groom of fifty years, with hand shake and laughter. At 1:30, Mrs. Jennie HALE escorted Mr. and Mrs. MANNASMITH to the parlor and in a very pleasant and touching way presented them with flowers and tokens of gold and candles and holders with a censer -- Gifts of love from those present. Then with laughter and greetings, all returned to the dining room to [illegible] which was served in cafeteria style. After dinner Mr. and Mrs. MANNASMITH told of their courtship and wedding day to the enjoyment of all. Though the day was bitter cold, there was just one thing lacking to make the occasion complete and with all sunshine, and that was the absence of the most priceless possession, the little granddaughter. Mrs. Clarence A. MANNASMITH has been quite sick and not able to come in the cold and bring the baby. The afternoon and evening passed all too quickly and at 9:30 the guests departed laughing and bidding each other goodbye. Mr. Harvey FURGISON, of York, Nebraska, sent greetings and a five dollar gold piece in memory of the day.

NOTE: Julia Ann (DENMAN) MANNASMITH was born January 23, 1827, New York, and died at the age of twenty-six years on August 31, 1853, Waldo Township, Marion County, Ohio, with interment at Riverside Cemetery. Peter MANNASMITH was born on January 9, 1827, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and died circa 1897 at the age of seventy years, Bloomington Township, Decatur County, Iowa with interment at Elk Chapel Cemetery. After Julia Ann's death, Peter married Susan McLAUGHLIN (1829-1890) who was also interred at Elk Chapel Cemetery.

Martin E. MANNASMITH died August 20, 1927 with his funeral services held at the Christian Church, Kellerton, Iowa. Sarah E. (MAY) MANNASMITH was born in 1857, and died in 1933. Martin and Sarah were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa. John Alexander MANNASMITH died September 9, 1943 with interment at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.

Dena May (MANNASMITH) BURKE died in 1959; John P. BURKE was born in 1873, and died in 1917; both interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Iowa.

John A. MANNASMITH died September 9, 1943, Kellerton, and was interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Iowa.

Clarence Alfred MANNASMITH died at the age of 82 years on April 3, 1962, Broadlawns Hospital, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, with interment at Leon Cemetery, Leon, Decatur County, Iowa. He was the assistant bank cashier of the Ringgold County Bank at Kellerton, and later at the Farmers State Bank in Murray, Clarke County, Iowa, for approximately 10 years where he also farmed until April, 1945 when he moved to Leon. He was married to Grace N. KELLER, and they were the parents of Mardel "Mardy" (MANNASMITH) BARTON and Myrna Lee (MANNASMITH) ANDERSON. Mardy and Gordon BARTON resided in Salt Lake City, Utah with their daughters Laura and Leslie. Myrna and Lew ANDERSON resided in White Plains, New York with their children Kelly, Chris, and Lewis. Lew was employed by Gannet Newspapers.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 379-80. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

The Leon Reporter, Thursday, January 1, 1925 edition

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009