Thomas Courtland Manning

Thomas Courtland Manning. , Side No. 1 , On this site in 1906, the City Library known as the Manning Memorial Library was opened, named in honor of a 19th century resident who served his State and his Nation. Hundreds of his personal volumes were donated to this library, which ceased operation a year or so later., Born in Edenton, North Carolina, he became an attorney by "reading-for-the-law", Albemarle Sentinel editor, educator at Edenton Academy and Master of the Equity Court, Chowan County., In 1855, he moved his family to Alexandria. Their residence was eight blocks west, bounded by Second, Third, Madison, and St. Anne Streets, and faced Red River., His major accomplishments in life were: , Member of first Board of Supervisors for La. Seminary (LSU) , Adjutant General of La. - C.S.A. - 1863-1864 , Assoc.-Justice of La. Supreme Court - C.S.A. - 1864-1865 , Chief Justice of La. Supreme Court - 1877-1880 , Assoc.-Justice of La. Supreme Court - 1882-1886 , U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico - 1886-1887, Side No. 2 , Thomas C. Manning died in New York City, having gone there to attend a Trustees Meeting of the Peabody Education Fund. He had been a member of this august body since 1880. Burial took place in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans and in 1912, his wife, Mary Louise Blair, joined him. Of their seven children, four are buried in Rapides Parish at the McNutt Cemetery., This epitaph on his monument best sums up his life - , "His unsullied private life , Gave tone to his public acts , His integrity of purpose , Inspired all with confidence , His public life shewed , That a man can fill office , And leave it without a stain, An Honest Man is the noblest work of God."