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Linn's History of Centre and Clinton Counties, page 437
"J. Fearon Mann's Axe-Factory is located on Logan's Branch, about two miles from Bellefonte. The name of Mann has been identified in America with the manufacture of edge-tools through four generations, and is know-n to-day the country over as the synonym for all that is perfect in the art of axe-making. Thomas Mann, great grandfather to J. Fearon Mann, was born in Ireland in 1750, and came to America when a lad. He engaged in the business of making edge-tools at Braintree, Mass., and removing eventually to New York State, died there in 1820. His son William followed the same business at Johnstown, N. Y., and with him until 1823 was associated William Mann, Jr. In 1823 William, Jr., decided to remove to Centre County, Pa., then coming to general notice as an iron country, and upon his arrival obtained employment with Jeremiah Heberly, a blacksmith, whose shop was on Logan's Branch. William remained with Heberly a year, and then worked a year for John Hall, the Bellefonte blacksmith. In 1825 he returned to New York, and in July of that year came back to Bellefonte accompanied by his brother Harvey. They worked at blacksmithing in Bellefonte three years, and in 1828 put up a small, shop on Logan's Branch, near the site of the present Mann axe-factory. There they began to make axes. In 1832 they established a branch factory at Bellefonte, and took in Franklin B. Smith as a partner. The Bellefonte venture was not a success, and in 1833 was given up. After William and Harvey Mann gave their attention to the Logan's Branch works exclusively, they enlarged the factory to about its present capacity. In 1834, William sold his interest to his brother Harvey and moved to Mauch Chunk, where that year he founded a Mann axe-factory. He was burned out in 1835, and soon changed his location to Lewistown. There he established the present axe manufactory of William Mann, Jr., & Co. He died in Lewistown in 1855. Harvey Mann continued the business on Logan's Branch on his own account until his death, in 1870. He was succeeded by Harvey Mann, Jr., who conducted the enterprise until his death, Feb. 27, 1875.
The incident of the death of Harvey Mann, Jr., called to the control and proprietorship of the Bellefonte axe-factory J. Fearon Mann, son of William Mann, one of the founders of the works. J. Fearon Mann had been associated with his brother William in the axe-making business at Lewistown, and brought to his new field a thorough practical knowledge and a ripe experience in that industry. Since taking charge, in 1875, Mr. Mann has steadily and prosperously conducted the Logan's Branch factory. He manufactures single- and double-bitted axes, employs fifty men, and turns out about three hundred finished axes daily. His brand, "the Red Mann Axe," is known the country over. His works include two forges, one finishing-shop, and one grinding-shop. About two hundred and twenty-five tons of bar iron are used annually. The motive power used includes both steam and w'ater. The "Mann" axe finds a market in nearly every State in the Union, and even in foreign countries. Not long ago two thousand were shipped to the Brazilian government.
William Mann, Sr., came West late in life, and founded an edge-tool factory at Unionville. He lived a while at Lewistown, and died at Boiling Spring, on Logan's Branch, Feb. 19, 1860.
During the present year (1882) Mrs. Jane Mann, widow of Harvey Mann. Sr., erected a beautiful church at Boiling Springs, completing and furnishing it at her own expense as a memorial to her husband, who was so long identified with the works. The church is open for services to all evangelical denominations."
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