Mannings & Enrights

Several years ago, I looked up some information for my cousins.  I just came across it and decided to post it here in case I can help them connect with more of their family history.  This was mostly from census records, and not a comprehensive search of other records.  This research is six years old, so more information is undoubtedly available now.

John and Bridget Manning, born about 1811 and 1813, respectively, emigrated from Ireland to the US in the 1840s, with their son, John, born in about 1839, and probably some other children.  I found them in Clyman, Dodge County, Wisconsin in 1860.  (Since earlier censuses are not available through my service, I don't know if they were there earlier.)  There were several Manning families in Clyman, but I don't know how they're related.  John was a blacksmith and a farmer.  I think that John married a Catherine (born about 1850 in Ireland), and that they had a daughter, Katherine, in about 1884.  In 1900, John was a widow living with his daughter, Katherine, still in Clyman, Wisconsin.  Katherine married Joseph L. Enright in about 1907, and their son, Paul Manning Enright, was born in Texas in 1908.  In 1910, this family was living in Waco, Texas, including Katherine's father, John.  They had a daughter in about 1913, but I couldn't make out her name.  Something like Alline or Alsine.  Joseph was a Bridge Builder for the railroad.  By 1920, the family had moved to Texarkana, Texas and were still there in 1930.  John Manning probably passed away between 1920 and 1930.  So on the Manning side, your grandmother, Katherine Manning Enright, was born in Wisconsin, but her parents were born in Ireland.  Your great grandfather, John Manning, emigrated from Ireland in the mid 1840s with his family while a child.  Your great grandmother, Catherine Manning, was also born in Ireland, but I don't know her maiden name or when she emigrated.

I believe that your Enright emigres are John and Sarah Enright, born in Ireland about 1802 and 1820, respectively.  I don't know where they married - Ireland or the US.  Their son, James, was born about 1842.  Most of the census records say James was born in New York, though one says Ireland.  Other children were born in New York and Massachusetts in the mid to late 1840s, so the family lived in that area for a while.  I found the family in 1860 in Milford, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.  James married a Johanna (born 1851 in Ohio).  Johanna's parents were both born in Ireland.  James and Johanna had at least 8 children in Wisconsin, including your grandfather, Joseph L. Enright, born about 1880.  I may have found another brother who was born in Arkansas in 1890, so the family may have moved to Arkansas in the 1880s.  Two of Joseph's brothers, James and William, were also bridge builders for the railroad in Texas, so there was some kind of Civil Engineering strength in the family.  I found Joseph in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas (again building bridges for the railroad) in 1900, before he married.  It was interesting that of the 100 persons on his census page, he was the only white.  So on the Enright side, your grandfather, Joseph L. Enright, was born in Wisconsin, and his parents were probably born in New York and Ohio.  But all 4 of their parents, your Enright great great grandparents, were born in Ireland.  I'm not sure when they emigrated, nor even what all of their names were.

I learned a few years ago about your father visiting with a cousin, Ray, on the East Coast when returning from some business trips.  Joseph L. Enright's brother, William, a RR Bridge Builder in Texas, had a son Raymond born in about 1909, one year younger than your dad.  I think the 1930 census said he was an insurance agent.