LAKE COUNTY OHIO
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File contributed to the Lake County, Ohio Biographies Project by
Deb Breniser
rbcobb@ncweb.com
January 6, 2000
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This biography is taken from Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio, 
Embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake; Lewis Publishing Company, 
1893. 

Heman J. Manchester

 Heman J. Manchester, Vice President of the Western Reserve Nursery, and one of 
the prominent and well-to-do men of Perry Township, Lake County, Ohio, form the 
subject of this article. Of his life and ancestry we make the following record:
  Heman J. Manchester was born in Otsego county, New York in 1841, son of 
Orsemus Manchester, and grandson of Leonard Manchester, both natives of New York 
and both farmers by occupation. His grandfather was engaged in teaming to 
Albany, New York and also dealt extensively in horses. He died about the age of 
eighty-five. The father of Heman J. cleared and improved several farms in Otsego
county, New York. he was a hard-working man all his life. In 1854 he came to 
Lake county, Ohio, first settling in Madison, township, and subsequently 
removing to Perry township. He is now eighty-one years old and is still quite 
active. His wife, whose maiden name is Sarah A. Wickam, and who was a native of 
New York State, died in 1855. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Of their four children, Heman J. is the oldest. Mr. Manchester was a youth of fourteen years when his parents took up their abode in Lake County, and after coming here he attended the district schools for some time, and for two terms was a student at the Madison Seminary. He was just budding into manhood when the war broke out, and August 9, 1862, he tendered his services to his country and became a member of Company C., First Ohio Light Artillery. He joined the command at Louisville, Kentucky, then under General Buell, and after the battle of Perryville was under Rosecrans. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Roan Forks, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach-Tree Creek etc. He was under Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, and with him on that memorable march to the sea, after which he was one of the victorious soldiers who took part in the grand review at Washington. he was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, June 20, 1865.
  Mr. Manchester was married May 16, 1867, to Lucy E. Haskell, who was born on 
the farm on which they now reside. her parents, Eli B. and Elvira (Smith) 
Haskell, were natives of Massachusetts, the former of Worcester county and the 
latter of Berkshire county. Her father was one of the early pioneers of Perry 
Township, this county,. His whole life was characterized by honest industry. In 
the dense forest he built his cabin home and developed a fine farm, and at one 
time he was worth $25,000. When he started out in life the only capital he had 
was $1 which his father gave him. he was an honest, upright man in every sense 
of the word; politically, a Republican; religiously, a Baptist, being a Deacon 
in the church for many years. He died at his home in this township, March 8, 
1891, aged eighty-three years. His wife passed away in 1889, at the age of 
eighty. They reared eight children, namely: Gardner, deceased; Olinthus H., who 
was killed at Chickamauga, October 10,1863; Sarah A.; Elizabeth E., deceased; 
Lucy E., Eli B., Jr., Herbert P. and Samuel A. Mr. Manchester has been engaged 
in farming all his life. His present farm consists of 100 acres, all improved 
and devoted to general farming and stock raising. He has a commodious frame 
residence, nice barns etc., and everything carrying on agricultural pursuits.
  As was stated at he beginning of this sketch, Mr. Manchester is vice[president 
of the Western Reserve Nursery. He became connected with this establishment in 
1892, and now devotes his chief attention to it. This is one of the largest 
nurseries in the United States, covering a tract of 401 acres, and controlling 
business extending into all the States and Territories in the Union, besides 
many foreign countries. he is also one of the stockholders of the Perry Cheese 
factory.
  Mr. Manchester and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically he 
affiliates with the Republican Party, and has served as Township Trustee. he is 
a member of the O. H. Haskell Post, No. 462, G. A. R., of Perry, which post was 
named in honor of his brother-in-law, who was killed in battle.