REV. WILLIAM FRANKLIN MANNING, a member of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, departed this life at his home in Randolph county, Mo., March 25, 1882. His parents, Logan D. and Mary Manning, were of good families, and a couple much respected. They were for many years members of the Church. The maiden name of the mother was McDuffee.

Rev. W. F. Manning was born in Maury county, Tenn., May 13, 1830. He was partly raised in Missouri, his parents having moved to this State when he was young. He became a servant of the Lord, and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Shiloh campground, Macon county, Mo., Sept. 25, 1848. At the same place, in the fall of 1849, he became a candidate for the ministry under the care of the then Ewing Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. By this Presbytery he was licensed to preach April 5th, 1851, at Middle Fabies church, Scotland county, Mo. After this the Ewing Presbytery was attached to the McGee Presbytery. Brother Manning was ordained by the McGee Presbytery at Kirksville, Adair county, Mo., in the spring of 1855.

Much of brother Manning's early education, before he attended McGee College, was in schools taught, respectively, by Revs. Samuel B. F. Caldwell and Nicholas A. Langston. The former has been gone from earth to the heavenly rest for a number of years. Brother Langston is still spared, and hopefully labors in the Master's vineyard.

Brother Manning, although devoted to the work of the ministry, felt it to be his duty to teach school occasionally. In this employment he exercised a genuine moral influence, and was highly esteemed for his ability to govern and also to instruct.

He was an intelligent, Christian gentleman, more than an average theologian, and a warm hearted and reliable brother. He was manly, true to his convictions of the right, an interesting, faithful, and instructive preacher. He was a close student of the Scriptures. He preached the Word. He was not, as some, showy in style, but was pointed and strong in thought. He was human, but by grace and culture he was a noble man; a far greater man than those who had a limited acquaintance with him understood him to be. He was a thoughtful and safe counselor, a good Presbyter; for a number of years an active and efficient member of the Presbytery's standing committee on examination probationers for the ministry. He was frequently selected and acted as moderator of his Presbytery. I the year 1870 he was a member of the General Assembly, and was elected to attend the Assembly in the year 1880, but owing, perhaps, to his state of health, which had been on the decline since 1876, he did not attend.

He served with success, at one time, as financial agent for McGee College.

In the course of his ministry many souls were gathered into the Church. He encouraged the cause of Christian education, and was a fast friend of good schools. It was his pleasure to promote intelligence and piety.

He was united in marriage to Miss M. A. Burton, in Randolph county, Mo., Nov. 8, 1855, Rev. J. B. Mitchell, D.D., officiating. Sister Manning survives her dear husband. She was a student of McGee College, and well related.

To brother and sister Manning were born five children. Three have passed away. Two died when quite small, the other was a young lady. She was held in high esteem by all who knew her for her intelligence, piety, and amiableness of disposition. A son and daughter, promising young persons, remain and mingle in the sorrows and joys of their worthy and devoted mother. In that home, from which our beloved brother has gone, are Mrs. Manning, her two children, and also her amiable sister. While they are bereaved, they are consoled with the precious hope that though the dear good man is not in the earthly, he is in the heavenly home.

His funeral was attended at Grand Prairie church, in Randolph county, Mo. The sermon was preached by Rev. H. R. Crockett, from the words, "Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints." The discourse was appropriate and impressive; was followed with brief remarks made by Rev. James Dysart and the writer. Closing prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Quinby, of the M. E. Church South.

The remains of brother Manning were deposited in the Grand Prairie cemetery. In this city of the dead rest the remains of some of his kindred, and other dear friends to whom he used to preach, and here, also sleeps the body of his intimate friend and father in the ministry, Rev. Samuel B. F. Caldwell. This reminds us of some of the utterances of Mr. Hervey, in his "Meditations Among the Tombs:" "And now they are gone. The struggles of reluctant nature are over. the body sleeps in death; the soul launches into the invisible state." According to God's Word, it is well with the righteous. They rest from their labors. They are absent from the body, and present with the Lord. Though dead, they speak. We cherish their memory.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 20, 1882, page 2]