General Manasco: The Obituary of Gen. John Manasco of Alabama

This is the obituary of General Manasco, aka., General John Manasco of Alabama. It is not my telling but is my transcription of a newspaper article that was published on March 27th, 1895 and again republished on February 15th, 1922, both in the “Mountain Eagle,” a local newspaper in Jasper, Alabama.

The 1922 “Mountain Eagle” version is digitized at newspapers.com but is, at times, difficult to read (the link to that version is at the end of this article). My transcription of this article serves to aid any interested researcher as well as stand as a testament to the history of the Manasco family in northern Alabama. General Manasco is the brother of my 4x great-grandfather, David C. Manasco.

BEGINNING OF TRANSCRIPT

“The Mountain Eagle. Jasper, Alabama. February 15, 1922.

LIFE OF GENERAL JOHN MANASCO, ILLUSTRIOUS PIONEER CITIZEN

Almost a Centennarian at the Time of His Death, General Manasco Rendered Invaluable Service to This County and Alabama.

The following sketch of the life of Gen. John Manasco was published in the March 27, 1895 issue of the Mountain Eagle. He died about a year later. The Eagle is reproducing this life of one of Walker’s most illustrious citizens for the information of the younger generation:

         It is the purpose of Eagle during the coming summer to entertain its readers with sketches of Walker’s earlier history and prominent men, as well as with articles descriptive of her vast mineral resources and material interest. As an introduction to these articles we can think of no character more appropriate than that of the distinguished citizen and statesman whose picture is here presented.

         General John Manasco was born in Franklin County, GA., in the year 1800. His parents were of Scotch-Irish descent. His grandfather, a native of Wales, removed to America in Colonial times, long before the Revolution, in which great struggle he reached the rank of Captain and achieved enviable distinction. His father in turn was a soldier, and followed the fortunes of General Jackson, participating in the famous battles of New Orleans, in 1816.

         Early in his infancy the parents of General Manasco moved to Tennessee, where they were close neighbors to General Jackson, whom the ambitious young pioneer evidently adopted as a model and whose prototype he is in a marked degree. He came to Alabama in 1816, and resided for several years in Madison and afterwards in Morgan County. In 1828, he was married to Miss Lucinda Luster, a member of a distinguished Kentucky family, then residing in Limestone County. Of his earlier married life we can learn but little. He came to Walker County in 1830, accompanied by his wife and three small children, and an absolute stranger, without relatives or friends, settled where at the age of 91 years he still resides.

         In his boyhood the educational institutions of this frontier section were few and far between. In fact, we doubt if the General ever attended a school of any character. He was thrown upon his own resources long before maturity, and it was as a hired farm hand that he first began the study of politics. His employer was a Federalist but found pleasure in instructing the young man in the principles of the then existing parties – Federalist, Whig, and Democrat. After a thorough investigation he allied himself with the latter, and through all the vicissitudes, alternate triumphs and defeats, he has remained steadfast in the faith – exercising perhaps a more extended influence in shaping its destiny in this section of the State than any public man for more than half a century.

         His first active political appearance was in 1841. The candidates for the Legislature were Eldridge Mallard, a Democratic leader, and James Cain, an ardent Whig and Nullifier – a partisan of pronounced ability and wide popularity, who had already represented the county in the Legislature, having been elected in 1837. Mallard was the Representative in 1838, but the Whigs had made great inroads upon the party and his defeat by Cain was a foregone conclusion. Manasco threw himself into the breach and although a comparative stranger he developed such political sagacity and such traits as a leader, that his influence was felt throughout the district. Cain, however, was elected, and in 1842 again returned to the Legislature. In 1843, with the aid and influence of Manasco, J. E. Clancy was elected. In 1844, General Manasco himself was a candidate against Lambert W. Baker and Clancy, but after a spirited canvass against fearful odds, was defeated. It will be remembered that at this time the territorial bounds of Walker reached from Tuscaloosa nearly, if not quite, to the Tennessee Valley, embracing all of the present county of Winston and portions of Lawrence, Cullman, Blount and Jefferson. Baker’s manipulators managed to circulate an erroneous estimate of the relative strength of his two opponents, and many friends of General Manasco in the extreme Eastern and Northern portions of the county, in their anxiety to defeat the Whigs, were let to vote for Clancy – esteeming him the stronger of the two Democrats. Baker was elected by “the skin of his teeth,” and there was an even smaller discrepancy between the votes of Manasco and Clancy. In 1845 the race between the latter gentleman, and Manasco was an easy victor.

         At this time the Legislature assembled at Tuscaloosa. The question of removal of the State Capitol, however, had been agitated for some time, and it was sprung at this term. The session was consequently an exciting one, and General Manasco at once took a prominent stand as an earnest anti-removal member. The superior inducements offered by Montgomery, through her representative, Mr. Bibb – a $100,000 building thoroughly equipped and ample grounds for the same carried the day. The General contends that it was the want of enterprise of the Tuscaloosans, whom he styles as a “set of insolvent aristocrats,” rather than Montgomery’s offer that accomplished their defeat.

         It is impossible within the limited space allotted those sketches to follow Manasco’s course in detail. He was returned to the Legislature in 1847, and also to the sessions of 1851, ’55, ’63, ’74 and ’76, over taking a prominent part in Legislature proceedings, both in committee work and in the presentation of original bills. Many of the more salutary laws yet upon our statute books were drafted and introduced by Manasco. In point of diligence and prompt attendance his record as a legislator has never been equaled. He was never caught napping, but ever at his post, prepared to defend his positions, protect the interest of constituents and the good name of his party.

         The issue of 1843 was the division of the county of Walker, and in this contest General Manasco was defeated by his old competitor, the lamented James Cain, Manasco advocated the division from North to South, while Cain was in favor of an East and West line. Subsequent events tend to show that Manasco’s position was not recklessly taken. For the territory then not only embraced our very best farming lands, but the most available, if not the best mineral deposits. His following wished to locate the county site near old Cheatham place, thirteen mills of Jasper. Who knows but what the success of this measure would have brought on the recent developments a quarter of a century sooner, and changed the location of many of our railroads and leading enterprises, giving Birmingham to Walker instead of Jefferson? In 1875 he was elected a delegate to the convention which framed our present constitution. Here, too, he was a conspicuous figure. The convention was composed of many of the lifetime political associates of the grand old man and his opinions were respected, his advice sought and his genius engrafted upon its work. He was last a legislator in 1876.

         This ended Manasco’s official career, but for ten or twelve years later he was at the head and front of the local Democratic organization of Walker, actively participating in the Presidential canvass of 1888. [?]

         Mr. Manasco was commissioned a Brigadier General during President Polk’s administration.

         Our illustration is from an old daguerreotype taken about the beginning of the war, before the art of photography had even approximated its present perfection. By those who knew him then it is pronounced an excellent likeness. The broad brow, thin compressed lips and finely cut features speak louder than description the natural endowments he possessed, self educated he was in his prime as an impressive talker, blount [sic] and tempestuous on the hastings, but engaging and prepossessing in conversation and debate. His will was inflexible – firm as adamant. Distaining to temporize, he was superlatively emphatic – speaking his sentiments in plain, unmistakable language, and never receding an inch from his position. In him, Crockett’s motto: “Be sure you’re right and o ahead,” found thorough exemplification.

         Just previous to the war General Manasco enjoyed an influence never before or since exercised over his people – a veritable patriarch to whom all looked for counsel and whose vies commanded involuntary acquiescence. An ardent Statesrights Democrat, he yet opposed secession, and with all the importunity in him fought this blasting issue. With what success the result is best evidence: On the passage of the Ordinance there were less THAN FIFTY SECESSIONISTS WITHIN THE BROAD LIMITS OF WALKER. When Alabama seceded, however, Manasco accepted the situation and remained true to his beloved State and country. Too old then for active military duty, he fought her enemies as best he could in legislative halls. During the war the old gentleman was much harassed by the Southern “layouts,” as were his parents in his boyhood by their colonial anti-types, the Tories. An amusing scene, growing out of this, was created by the General at a session of our Circuit Court, which the writer, then a boy, well remembers. Judge Mudd was presiding and had a trial fairly under headway. A witness, Mr. _____, was introduced and sworn. General Manasco arose from his seat in the audience and addressed the court:

         “Your Honor, I protest against that man swearing.”

         When the Judge had recovered his breath he enquired:

         “What’s the matter, Manasco?”

         “Well, sir, that man called on me during the war, with a squad of ruffians. He found me unprotected and abused, cursed and robbed me. A MAN WHO WOULD DO IT is not fit to testify in a court of justice.”

         It is not necessary to animadvert upon the weight of the testimony of the witness.

Private Life

         In private life General Manasco was an equally unique and attractive personage. His marital relations were most congenial and in the rearing of an interesting family, his hospitable home was ever open, always affording the acme of social enjoyment to visitors. The young found entertainment suited to the desires, while the staid and sober-minded were realed with the ever-interesting and instructive reminiscences of his observant career. And these were truly a feast, coming from a man who enjoyed the personal acquaintance of such men as Andrew Jackson, Van Buren, Clay, Calhoun, Bakby [?], Martin Terry, Yancey and hundreds of the patriots and statesmen of anti-bellum days. The writer recently was permitted this supreme pleasure and the most delightful emotions will ever attend the recollection of his visit. The account of the battle of New Orleans, and the death of Packingham, as it was recounted to Manasco by his patriot father, is a far more comprehensive and vivid description than we have ever encountered either in history or fiction. His knowledge of men and measures conspicuous before the American people throughout the present century compile into a volume would be of incalculable value and absorbing interest.

         An incident highly illustrative of the indomitable will of the General occurred in his early boyhood. He was only 13 years of age when news of the victory at New Orleans reached him. Being told that the army had disbanded and that the soldiers were coming home afoot, he saddled a pony and leading another set out to meet his father. Day after he encountered straggling squads of soldiers but could learn nothing from them. Many of the soldiers in reply to his questions would tell him that his father was slain; others would guy and ridicule the little fellow mercilessly. He would believe nothing – each succeeding disappointment only increasing his determination to carry out his purpose. His lonely journey in the heart of winter had now occupied more than a week. At last the little [sic] fellow rode up to a camp where a body of soldiers were spending the night, and only about 80 miles distant from New Orleans. Here he met some of his father’s company, and was told he had not been killed, but was sick and, they feared, unable to make the trip home. They had left him two days before. At noon next day the noble boy found his father resting by the roadside, footsore and jaundiced – his face being so yellow and haggard that the son failed to recognize him. The response to his oft-repeated question: “Can you tell my anything about John Manasco – one of Jackson’s men?” enlightened him. The joy occasioned by this meeting of father and son – the one worn and scarred by the hardships of war, the other crushed with fatigue from his long and wearisome journey – what language may describe it?

         There were born to General and Mrs. Manasco six  children – five boys and a girl. The only daughter, Sarah, a most estimable lady, became the wife of Rev. J. E. Cox, and died a few years ago. Carleton W., the oldest son, removed to California in early life, and for 33 years has been engaged in mining – accumulating, we learn, a considerable fortune. Jere[miah], the second son, became a physician, but enlisted in the Confederate army and yielded up his life on the battle field of Shiloh. David, of beloved memory, was the third son. He became a minister of the Baptist faith and was a most zealous and untiring Christian. He once held the position of County Superintendent of Education and also edited a denominational newspaper in Jasper. He died in 1884 – in the prime of a vigorous and useful manhood. James R. P. and Dr. John Manasco are prominent citizens of Townley, in this county, and vie with each other in tender care and solicitude for the comfort and happiness of their venerable and illustrious father.

         But the declining years of this “Father in Israel” have not been without afflictions and sorrow. In 1888, while feeding his horse, he received a fall which resulted in the dislocation of his hip, and has been permanently crippled since – moving about on his crutches with great pain and difficulty. But the crowning sorrow of his life was the tragic death of his beloved wife – which occurred about two years ago. This good lady was accustomed to offer up her evening prayers on the portico of her home. She repaired there one evening. The General was sick in bed. He became alarmed at her protracted absence, and after calling in vain for her, gave an alarm in loud halloos. Hearing him, his son Polk hurried to the scene and discovered his mother prone upon her face in the yard – dead. The unfortunate lady had evidently creened as she knelt and unable to recover herself, fell headlong to the ground. Her neck was broken and death was perhaps instantaneous. In all its phases, the life of General Manasco is an appropriate study for the young men of his day. To a sterling integrity, we here find a sublime energy and fixedness of purpose, beautifully rounded by Christian fortitude and resignation. That he may live out the century he has so consistently honored is the hope of his admiring friends.

W. R. S., Jr”

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*This article is also featured on Cyndi’s List and I hope more researchers will be able to share in its information.

The 1922 “Mountain Eagle” version can be found at newspapers.com but is, at times, difficult to read.

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