Veterans of the War of 1812

The Weekly Citizen - April 8, 1871

  Two of the soldiers of the war of 1812-14 are now living in this county, as far as we know. 

  Wm. S. Manson, was born in Pendleton county, South Carolina, Nov. 19th, 1790. In 1802 his father removed to Warren county, Kentucky, and from thence to Madison county, Alabama, in 1810. At Huntsville in that State at the age of 22 he joined Gen. Jackson's army then on its way to punish the Creek Indians. Mr. Manson belonged to Capt. Wm. Evans' company of scouts who were ordered on duty in the mountains away from the main body. After the Indian troubles were settled the company was discharged. In 1813 he removed to East Tennessee and in 1814 was married. His wife is still living though quite feeble. In 1843 he moved to Lee county, Iowa, and two years after to this county. He was clerk of the Board of Commissioners who located the town of Centerville, in the spring of 1847. Mr. J.F. Stralton, still a resident of this place, was the surveyor. Father Manson preached the first sermon in this place in the summer of the same year in a loghouse on the east side of the Square, built by old Squire Wadlington, now living in Independence township. He served four terms as Clerk of the District Court and has been postmaster since July 1st, 1861. 
  John Arrison, of Lincoln township, is also a veteran of our last war with England. He entered the army from Pennsylvania as 1st Lieutenant. He removed from that State to Delaware county, Ohio, immediately after the war. He was married in 1819 and in 1830 removed to Illinois and to this county in 1856. He is now 81 years old and his wife is 76, both quite feeble. They have five children, three sons and two daughters. One son was killed at Champion Hill, Miss., 1864. One daughter is also dead.