Thanks to Don Turner Franklin County Iowa Biographies Project Ernest S. Manatt, the pioneer osteopathic physician of Franklin county, now practicing in Hampton, was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa, on the 26th of September, 1878. He represents one of the old families of the state. His father, James Manatt, was for a half century a resident of Poweshiek county where death called him to the home beyond. He was born in Somerset county Pennsylvania, in February, 1827, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Manatt, both of Irish descent. Robert Manatt was born inCounty Down, Ireland, and in 1812 became a resident of Pennsylvania. Some years afterward he removed with his family to Holmes county, Ohio, where his wife died. Later he brought his children to Iowa, living for a time in Washington county and afterward in Brooklyn, Poweshiek county, where he passed away in 1863 James Manatt attended district schools of Ohio and Iowa and at twenty years of age was married and began farming. In time he became one of the most extensive landowners of the county. In 1880 he removed to Brooklyn, where he passed away in February, 1911. He was twice married. He first wedded Livina Snook of Warren township, Poweshiek county, and they had six children. For his second wife he chose Miss Cornelia Squires, a daughter of Sumner L. and Parizode (Payne) Squires. The latter was a descendant of Sir Simon Fiske, and belonged to one of the oldest and best known cultured families of Vermont. Mrs. Squires was born in Highgate, Vermont, and was a liberally educated woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Squires engaged in teaching in the-east in early life. In 1855 they became residents of Poweshiek county, Iowa, and for thirty years remained upon the old homestead, but spent their last days in Brooklyn, the father dying in February, 1892, and the mother in April, 1904. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Manatt were born four children: Earl L., who became a physician of Newcastle, Indiana, was born in 1877 and died in April, 1907; Ernest S., is the next of the family. Rex Irving is living in Hampton, and Horace J. T. was accidently killed at play in 1898. Dr. Ernest S. Manatt spent his youthful days under the parental roof, and as he approached manhood he became interested in the science and practice of osteopathy which he determined to make his life work. Accordingly he supplemented his public-school education by a course in the American School of Osteopathy at KirksviIle, Missouri, from which he was graduated on the 31st Of .January, 1901. In the following March he came to Franklin county and has since been located in Hampton, being the oldest osteopathic practitioner of the county. He has been quite, successful, his ability being attested by those who have come under his professional care. Dr. Manatt was united in marriage to Miss Maude Kratchovil, a native of this county, and unto them has been born a son, Earl, now three and a half years of age. In politics Dr. Manatt is a republican but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private professional interests, with leisure for the enjoyment of home and social pleasures. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is that- of the Congregational church, of which he is a consistent member.