ROBERT MANIFOLD, a leading citizen of North Strabane township, was born October 29, 1820. He is a grandson of Joseph Manifold, who was a native of York county, Penn., where he was married and passed his entire life. His son, Benjamin Manifold, was born in 1773, and passed his youth in his native county, where he was married to Ann Gamble, a resident of the same place. The following children were born to their union: Elizabeth (Mrs. Robert Black), Ellen (Mrs. William Black), Nancy (wife of William Oates), Joseph, John, Mary, Jane and Robert. In 1818 Mr. Manifold brought his family to Washington county, Penn., and located on the Morgan farm in South Strabane township, where they lived until 1840, when they purchased the farm now owned by Robert, and there passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Manifold was a Whig, and although not an active politician, was a stanch supporter of his party. He was an industrious man, and much interested in all public enterprises. He was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church. Robert Manifold passed his early years on the home farm in North Strabane township, and attended the school at Washington borough some years. He afterward shared in the management of the home place, together with his brothers John and James, which they purchased after renting it for several years. Mr. Manifold has never married and his sister keeps house for him. About three years ago the brothers made a division of the property, and the home place fell to the share of Robert. He then built a large house and barn, and made many other improvements. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and, since the organization of the party, has been a stanch Republican, although never accepting political office. He is a member of the Chartiers Presbyterian Church, to which he contributes liberally.
Text taken from page 1363 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]