MANN, JOHN H. - Many of the younger men of Sangamon County are content to devote themselves to farming, realizing the money to be made from specializing along agricultural lines. The days are past when a farmer worked merely for a living; now he is as much a business man as the grocer or banker, and the country is much more heavily obligated to him than to the others mentioned. One of the younger men of Sangamon County who are representative of the farming interests, is John H. Mann, residing on a fine twenty acre truck farm on Section 29, Capital Township. He was born in Metcalf County, Ky., February 14, 1870, a son of James and Mary E. (Goodman) Mann, both natives of Kentucky born in 1841 and 1849 respectively.

James Mann was a farmer in Kentucky, where he remained until 1883, when he moved to Ashland, Ill., locating on a farm, which continued to be his home until 1903. In that year he came to Sangamon County, making his home with his son until his death, May 28, 1905. His widow survives, and lives at Oakland, Cal., with her son Charles. There were eight sons and one daughter in the family, six of whom survive: John H.; Charles, of Oakland, Cal.; George, Frank, Daniel; Mary, wife of Arthur Pringle, of Oakland. To other sons Edward and Will, died recently. Two brothers of the father, Marion and Jorney Mann, were soldiers in the Civil War. The Mann family is one of the old ones of Kentucky and its members have been connected with its history since early days.

The education of John H. Mann was secured in Ashland, where he attended the public schools. Later he alternated farming with learning the trade of printer. He never worked long at his trade, however, but as a young man was for a year in an office in Ashland, then operated a farm in the vicinity. He came to Sangamon County in 1890, being engaged in business in Springfield for ten years, but in 1900, the call of the soil became too strong for him and he came to live in his present home. He rents twenty acres, which he devotes to gardening, and his success has been remarkable, his product meeting with a ready sale.

Mr. Mann was married in Jacksonville, Ill., October 18, 1891, when he was united with Anna Ellen Martin, born near that city, in Morgan County, October 18, 1866 a daughter of Frank Martin, who was one of the pioneers of Morgan County. He carried on farming there until his death in 1899, his wife having died in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Martin had nine children, seven of whom are now living. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mann. They are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Mann is a liberal contributor. In politics he is a Republican, but his business cares have been too heavy for him to devote much attention to public matters. However, he is always abreast of the times, well informed on current affairs, and votes intelligently and faithfully.

Having devoted so much time to his work, Mr. Mann understands it thoroughly and follows it scientifically. He leaves nothing to chance in his operations, but carries out certain definite rules, and the results prove the wisdom of his actions. Shrewd, keen and enterprising, he is an excellent business man, while his sterling honesty and uprightness of character have impressed themselves upon his associates and won him many warm, personal friends, whom he retains. His home is skillfully presided over by his wife, and their many friends always find a cordial welcome when they enter its hospitable doors.