Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Manning, James Albert |
Othernames |
J. A. Manning |
Born |
1864 |
Birthplace |
Strathroy, Canada West (Ontario) |
Places of residence |
Strathroy, Canada West, Parkhill area of McGillvary Township, Toronto (c. 1902), moved to Owen Sound, Grey County, in the early 20th-century (sometime before 1907). In 1937, Mrs. J. A. Manning's residence was 1355 4th Ave. West, Owen Sound (perhaps he was in Toronto again?) |
Father |
James Manning |
Mother |
Ann Jane Manning (nee __________) |
Nationality |
Canadian |
Notes |
The 1871 census of Canada has James A. Manning, age 11, living at Toronto. He was born in Ontario and his parents were James Manning and Ann Jane Manning. His father was an "Agent", and the family was of Irish origin, and were Wesleyan Methodists. He married Helena Porter in 1___. James Albert Manning, and his wife Helena Manning (nee Porter) moved to Owen Sound with their daughter Hazel in the early 20th-century. Mr. Manning owned the Excelsior plant that was next to the Pedwell Mill in the Brooke area of town. At that time there was a good demand for excelsior (wood fibre) for packing and shipping items like furniture). He employed six men. Unfortunately, the plant burned down in its second year. Later on, Mr. Manning sold detergent. There also was a WONDER HAND CLEANER product with the J. A. Manning name. A birth record for Lorne Albert Manning shows that he was born on Feb. 10, 1907 in Grey County in Sarawak Township at Brooke (the northwest area of Owen Sound). His father was listed as a "Manufacturer". An Owen Sound newspaper article reported upon the 93rd birthday of Mr. J. A. Manning on Thursday, March 14, 1957. James Albert Manning was born at Strathroy, where "his father was one of the first manufacturers in that town". Later on, the Manning family moved to McGillvary Township, near Parkhill, where J. A. Manning attended school. For 46 years, he was employed as a Commercial Traveller, and after that he became a manufacturer of "Wonder Wash" at Owen Sound, Ontario. In 1957, Wonder Wash was compared to being similar to the cleansers that were prevalent in the 1950s, even though it was produced earlier than that. James A. Manning worked until he was 86 years old, and drove his own car up until that time. His wife, the former Helena Porter of Ridgetown, had died about 5 years previous to his 93rd birthday. Their daughter Hazel then resided at Owen Sound, and their sons Roy and Lorne resided at Toronto. He also invented a sleeve-valve automobile engine, similar to a Willys Knight engine, in 19__. A circa 1924 source listed "J. F. Manning's" (sic) Household Specialties business. This was a promotional booklet called FACTS ABOUT OWEN SOUND. J. A. Manning (1864-1960) is buried at Owen Sound's Greenwood Cemetery. |
Occupation |
Excelsior Manufacturer Commercial Traveller (salesman) Manufacturer: Household Specialties (Wonderwash Detergent, etc.) Inventor of an automobile engine |
Publications |
Croft, Melba, BROOKE, page 29 FACTS ABOUT OWEN SOUND, 1924 (promotional brochure) |
Role |
Business person |
Spouse |
Helena Porter, m. 1___ |
Children |
Unknown name (daughter) b. 1902 York County Sarah Hazel Eudry Manning (b. 1904-d. 1996), usually known as "Hazel" (b. York County) Lorne Manning Roy Manning |
