Biography

John Mansker was a pioneer settler in Illinois before it became a State.

A biography of John Mansker is at The Mansker Chronicles, and a narrative of his life is at Southern Illinois Pioneers.

Birth

John was born about 1765 at Paxtang Township, Dauphin, Pennsylvania. ^[1]

Residences

• "John Mansker was one of the pioneers of Kentucky and Tennessee. At St. Clair's defeat by the Indians he received seven different wounds, but effected a miraculous escape from the field of carnage. In 1804 he settled in Ste. Genevieve county, Missouri, three years later located on the island opposite Rockwood, and in 1812 on the river above Rockwood. His son, Samuel Mansker, has since lived in the same vicinity, and is now one of the oldest citizens of the county."^[2]
• John moved to Ste Genevieve District (now Perry County), Missouri in 1804.

  Name on memorial, 29 Dec 1805, to the President by citizens of the District of St Genevieve expressing their support and confidence in Governor Wilkinson [pages 345-349].^[3]

• in Mar 1806, at Ste Genevieve, Missouri John encountered financial problems and was sued by Philip Shackler for $70.10 on a promissory note plus $20 damages (interest).^[4] The judgment ended such that John had to pay $70.10 plus $6 damages.
• In 1807, John and his family moved to Illinois and located at Mansker Island, opposite Rockwood, which was later renamed Liberty Island. This continued to be their home for about five years, when a final move was made to section 10, township 8, range 6. To the small original purchase was added adjacent property until the estate aggregated at one time two thousand acres. The rising of the river obliged him to move his residence further from the stream, and in 1844 he built his final home.^[5][6][7]
• John Mansker was originally from the neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. In 1801 he brought his family to Missouri and settled opposite section 11, where he remained about six years. He then came to Randolph county, and in 1807, located on Liberty formerly called Mansker Island, where he remained till 1813, when he settled on section 10. The site of this settlement has been swept away.^[8]
• John attended the estate sale of Jean Baptiste Godfroy who died 1809 at Rockwood, Illinois. His estate was administered between 1809 to 1818 at Randolph County Court.^[9]

Marriage

John and Margaret married 15 May 1792 at Jefferson County, KY. ^[10]

1. Child: Nancy Mansker.
2. Child: Elizabeth Mansker.
3. Child: Samuel Mansker.
4. Child: William Mansker.
5. Child: James Mansker.
6. Child: Louisa Mansker.
7. Child: John Mansker.
8. Child: Elvis Mansker.

Occupation

John was a soldier who later became a pioneer in Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois.

Military

Sergeant John Minsker served in the Second Regiment under General Arthur St. Clair in Captain John Smith's Company in Major Thomas Butler's Battalion from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. John entered service 19 Apr 1791 and left the service 15 Nov 1791.^{[11] [12]}

After escaping with his life from St. Clair's Defeat, john moved to jefferson County, Kentucky, where he married Margaret Robinson in 1792. He then joined Adair's Regiment.

Less than two weeks after joining Adair's Regiment, John was enlisted with the Scouts and Spies.

Death

John died 13 Dec 1813 at Rockwood, Illinois. ^[15] This date is likely contained in the Mansker Family Bible, which at one time was in the possession of Lucy Irene Jackson. The current whereabouts of this family Bible are unknown.

Burial

In his ledger dated 10 Feb 1853, son Samuel Mansker wrote:

Obituary

Notes

1. Beginning in July 1824, Samuel Mansker, the oldest son of John Mansker, starting writing in a ledger book the beginning of his family history:

   "John Mansker, my father, was born about the year 1765. He came through Pennsylvania into Kentucky. He was a Captain in the Spy Company under St. Clair and Wayne in the French/Indian War [sic], and served as a drummer boy in the Revolutionary War. He received seven wounds in St. Clair's defeat by the Indians, and saved himself by a miracle from the dreadful carnage.

   "When the two companies moved to Tennessee, John was sent to his uncle, Kasper Mansker, a wealthy and prominent citizen of the State of Tennessee, who lived on Mansker Creek near Goodlettsville, to recuperate from his wounds. While he was away from the fighting, he met and married a sixteen-year-old girl by the name of Margaret (Peggy) Robinson [Roberson] who was born about 1771. The next year he was sufficiently recovered to join General [Mad Anthony] Wayne in his action against the savages from which he returned safely."

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave (see below)
2. ↑ Combined History of Randolph, Monroe, and Perry Counties, Illinois page 71
3. ↑ Territorial Papers of the US; Volume Number: Vol 13; Page Number: 348; Family Number: 19
4. ↑ Missouri Judicial Records Historical Database
5. ↑ Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry, and Monroe Counties
6. ↑ The History of Randolph County page 51
7. ↑ The Pioneer History of Illinois, John Reynolds page 364
8. ↑ Combined History of Randolph, Monroe, and Perry Counties, page 467
9. ↑ Combined History of Randolph, Monroe, and Perry Counties pages 106
10. ↑ Kentucky, County Marriage Records, 1783-1965
11. ↑ National Archives records at Fold3.com (pay site)
12. ↑ U.S. Compiled Service Records, Post-Revolutionary War Volunteer Soldiers, 1784-1811 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011 Ancestry Record 2237 #20776
13. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served from 1784 to 1811 Ancestry Record 2237 #14989
14. ↑ National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served from 1784 to 1811 Ancestry Record 2237 #6021
15. ↑ Find A Grave (see below)

• Find A Grave - John Mansker