The patriarch of the Miami Valley Mann family was Colonel John Mann Jr. He and his brother Jacob settled in what became Miami County, Ohio in the late 1790's. Their father, John, was the youngest son of George Bernard Mann, the emigrant.

Colonel Mann had served and trained under two of the nation's most famous "Indian fighters", Simon Kenton and Benjamin Whiteman. He and his brother, Major Jacob Mann, were active in the Ohio Militia. They both served with distinction during the War of 1812. The Major led groups of sharpshooters on the frontier, and remained in government service after the state had dismissed most men from duty. The Colonel led the Miami County Militia until he was appointed to higher command within the Ohio Militia. The following is a timeline for the Mann brothers.........

1791- John Mann Sr. gives his consent for John Jr. to marry Fanny Williams.

1791- Isaac is born to John Jr. and Fanny.

1793- John marries Barbara Williams, Fanny's cousin. We assume Fanny died, possibly in childbirth.

1794- A son, George, is born to John and Barbara.

1797- John and Barbara's daughter Fanny is born in Virginia. John comes to Ohio with George Williams to locate a claim and plant corn for John's father-in-law, Michael Williams. They locate a claim on Mad River near Dayton. After this is achieved they return to bring their families back.

1798- They return in Autumn. They live near Dayton for a year, then move to Honey Creek in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, Ohio.

1799- Sergeant John Mann is listed in Virginia Militia records as "having removed to the Miami's." John and Jacob have now established themselves as early settlers in Elizabeth Township, in Miami County, Ohio.

1801- Their sister-in-law, Betsy Moyer Mann Harman, settles near by in Staunton Township.

1801- For much of his life Jacob is noted in Miami county as one of the highest class of hunters. According to Asa Coleman's reminisces, Jacob often made hunting his principal business.

1801/09- Jacob Mann surveys and lays out early roads in Miami County, Ohio.

1803- By April, their parents, John Sr. and Susannah, are living here with them, putting their 500 acre farm in Virginia up for sale. John's sister, Elizabeth Battrell and her husband John, also come to live with them.

1804- John is serving as a Captain under General Gano in the Montgomery County, Ohio Militia. John and Barbara later return to Virginia to manage the sales of their families' lands. While they are in Virginia their son Charles is born.

1805- In December, John Mann Sr. enters land in Cincinnati. The plot was Range 10, Township 2, Section 25, Part section 307.20 acres. His residence at time of entry is listed as Montgomery County, Ohio (now Miami County, Elizabeth Township).

1805- The land entry for John Mann Jr. was Range 9, Township 1. Section 6, Part section: North ½ and the South ½ fraction 216.16 acres. His residence at time of entry is listed as Montgomery County, Ohio (now Miami County, Bethel Township).

1806- John Mann is promoted to the rank of Ensign in the Ohio Militia by General James Findlay. An Ensign is an officer-in- training.

1807- Jacob is serving as a Lieutenant in the Ohio Militia, in Miami County, Ohio.

1808- John Mann and his brother-in-law, John Battrell, are appointed guardians of John and Molly Mann, children of George and Betsy Moyer Mann Harman. (Probate Court Case #15.) The children stay originally with the Battrells, but when they move west, stay with John and Barbara Mann.

1809- John Mann is serving as a Major in the Montgomery County, Ohio Militia.

1811- John Mann is serving as a Major for the 2nd Regiment, 5th Brigade, 1st Division, of the Ohio Militia.

1811- John Mann attains the rank of Colonel in the Ohio Militia.

1812- John Mann is Colonel over the Miami County Militia at the commencement of the War of 1812.

1812/13- Several companies of volunteers are organized, of which Jacob Mann was a Captain in the Miami County, Ohio Militia. Records show him as an Ensign, Captain, then Major, serving under his brother. It is recorded that during the war he participated in Harrison's campaign to free Fort Wayne. While spying out the land with Captain Logan, another scout, they came upon an ambush planned for Harrison, and when exchanging fire Jacob shoot the noted Pottawatomie chief, Metea, in the arm as he was attempting to hide behind a tree, rendering the arm useless for life.

1813- Later during the war, John becomes Colonel over the 1st Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division. His designation is now Field Colonel, which means he will lead troops in battle. The counties in this regiment are Montgomery, Preble, Miami, and Darke. Jacob becomes a Major and also serves in the 5th division.

1814- Jacob Mann marries Elizabeth Shell.

1815- A son, James, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.

1816- Major Jacob Mann is the Battalion Commander for Miami County. At this time, Miami County belongs to the 2nd Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division of the Ohio Militia.

1817- A daughter, Priscilla, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.

1818- John and Elizabeth Battrell move to Delaware County, Indiana.

1826- George Mann, John and Barbara's son, dies leaving his widow, Margaret Pearson Mann, to raise their children Able and Ruth.

1826- Elizabeth gives birth to a baby girl named Mary.

1827- Jacob's son Isaac is born.

1828- Jacob Jr. is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.

1828- John Mann Jr. and Barbara Mann sell their farm in Miami County, Ohio and move to Loramie Township, in Shelby County, Ohio.

1829- John Mann Jr. is listed as Director of School District #2 in Loramie Township, Shelby County, Ohio.

1829- Jacob Mann erects the first distillery of any magnitude in Miami County.

1830- A son, John, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.

1831- Barbara, John's second wife dies.

1832- John Mann Jr. marries Rachael Berry.

1833- Henry, Jacob's 5th son is born.

1833- John Mann Jr. dies in the latter part of June.

1833- The Executors notice of Col. John Mann's death was placed in the Piqua Gazette, dated 13 July.

1833- After his death, his youngest daughter, Cynthiana, is born to his widow Rachael.

1833- Probate Court, Shelby County, Ohio. Estate package A78 is filed for John Mann. These records show no mention of his deceased son George. All other children are mentioned.

1834- The Estate Executor of Col. John Mann's estate files suit against John's widow, Rachael Berry Mann, seeking land to be sold to satisfy debts.

1835- Ruth and Able Mann file suit against John and Barbara's youngest son, Charles. Charles had been entrusted by John Mann with provision for their father's share of inheritance.

1836- A daughter, Caroline, is born to Jacob and Elizabeth.

1857- On March 14, Jacob Mann dies.

1858- On March 15, Elizabeth, Jacob's wife dies.

The Mann family were located in Sinzheim, Germany before coming to America. Our line of descendancy from Germany to present day,  is Hans Mann,  George Bernard Mann  (the emigrant),  John Mann Sr., Colonel John Mann Jr.,  Isaac Mann, Lewis J. Mann,  Dorsey V. Mann, John A. Mann Sr., John A. Mann Jr., Timothy A. Mann.