1826, John Hoblit and his son Samuel in the company of Michael Mann, a Baptist minister came to Illinois on a prospecting tour, crossing Ohio, to Indiana and on to then Sangamon County, (now Logan County), Illinois.  They had but two horses, and took turns walking. After selecting a location, they returned to Ohio. It was said that son Samuel in later years weighed some 350 pounds.

In 1827, the Hoblit’s removed from Ohio to Illinois.

16 August 1827, Michael bought 132 acres, for 450.00 Dollars, from Joel Peterson in Greene County, Ohio.

October 1827, Michael purchased some 80 acres of property in Logan County, IL, then Sangamon County, IL.

Per the "History of Early Settlers of Logan County", prior to 1840, Jacob L. Mann, has listed his place of settlement as Lake Fork Township in 1827.

Michael moved his family to Logan County, Illinois, about 1827-28, which was then Sangamon County. Logan County was formed in 1839.

Michael Mann and Sarah Bowman Lucas, were married 12 July 1858, at Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois, by Mr. Clark, Justice of the Peace, and Witnessed by the Clerk Mr. John Jenkins.  Marriage License is on file in the Logan County Courthouse, Logan County, Illinois.

Apr 1839, the first County election was held in Logan County, with Michael Mann, elected to the position of Probate Justice, which he held for about six months.  He has his name inscribed on the stone on the South side of the Lincoln Court House building. He came to the Lake Fork area abt 1828, with his sons, Abraham L, John L., Jacob L, Henry L., and Philip, and seven Daughters. He founded at Big Grove, near present Atlanta.

Son Philip is still a mystery. No mention of him anywhere.  Looking in Fulton Co. Illinois, a Philip Mann bought some land there in 1849.” forty miles from Logan County”. This Phillip could have been a nephew or a brother. Once they reached Logan County in 1827 there was no longer any record or word of a Phillip in the family records or census records.

Michael's Church was a Predestination, or Hard Shell Baptist congregation. They didn't allow any scandal or strife in their group. It was a very close tight knit group to belong to in those days. He had two congregations, one at Latham, and another at Big Grove, near Atlanta, which he established in 1830.  There were fourteen members at that time, from which John Hoblit was chosen deacon, and Samuel Hoblit, clerk. Above all, he was a very respected person and carried a lot of influence in their community.

Some of the heirlooms, which still exist from Michael Mann's era, consist of a Civil War medal from Jacob L. Mann, and a Fife and a fiddle of 1830s vintage, which belonged to Jacob L. Mann also.  Jacob hid the Fife and Fiddle in the barn because Michael did not allow any dancing or music among his children, since his beliefs were so strong in his Church. Neil Mann has possession of the Fiddle and Medal, of which the Fiddle has chew-marks on it from mice in the barn chewing on the fragile wood.

Michael purchased 953.70 acres of land from 10-08-1827 to 06-12-1837 for $1192,in Logan County, IL.

Michael willed his property to his son, Jacob L. Mann, which in turn willed it to his son, Michael J. Mann.  Michael J. then willed the homestead to his daughter, Susie Inez Mann and her husband Noble K. Usherwood.  When Susie died, in 1957, at the age of 61 years, Noble remarried and sold the entire homestead and removed to Missouri.

The homestead had passed thru four generations of Mann's before it was lost. August of 1995, all that was left was a farm implement shed someone had erected.  All of the other buildings were gone.

As a footnote to the conditions in Logan County during 1830/31 winter, the snow fell from early winter to late spring to the depth of about three feet or more, making life very difficult for the livestock and chickens, plus not to mention getting fire wood to heat with during this period.

During the winter of 1836 was called "The winter of the Sudden Freeze". It came on in a matter of fifteen minutes time in which the livestock froze right where they stood, and the chickens froze to their roosts. The Indians were saying this hadn't happened for the last 50 years, that they could recollect.

The Circuit Rider-VOL 28-No.1, Page 18, January 1996

Sangamon County Genealogical Society

Ferries and Mills: Petitions and License

Board of Supervisors Proceedings:  Commissioner's Court, Sangamon County

State of Illinois: Commissioners Court

Sangamon County, March Term 1830

Ordered by the Court that Michael Mann, Henry Demint and Samuel Wilson be authorized to keep a Ferry across the Sangamon River at the place called Chapman's Ford, on the payment of Two dollars Last and that they be allowed the following rates (to wit):

For each man & horse-------------------------12 1/2

For each footman-----------------------------06 1/4

For a single horse---------------------------06 1/4

For every head of meat cattle----------------03

For every head of sheep-----------------------02

For a road wagon & team----------------------50

For a two horse wagon or Pleasure Carriage---25

When the river overflowing its banks and before Sunrise and after sunset, double these rates.

A true copy from the record.

Attest: Charles R. Matheny,

Clerk: Sangamon County, Illinois.

March 1830

This information is from the research of Arlan Mann,

who has done extensive research of the Mann family.