John A. Mann Sr.

John Allen Mann, or "Allen" as he was known  to his friends, was born on June  25, 1909, in Bradford, Ohio.  He was  raised on a Washington Township  farm in Shelby County, Ohio.  

As a  youth, Allen was recognized for  rescuing a Piqua youth from drowning in  the Miami River.  Allen had  learned to swim one year prior to this  incident, having been thrown in  the same river by some older boys.  

As  a teen, Allen was crippled in an attempt to "hop a train".  He had   jumped on a boxcar.  As he pulled himself up, the couplings joining  each car smashed his left foot.  

He was found unconscious when the train stopped in St. Louis.  The accident required five toes and part of his foot to be amputated. 

 After graduating from Piqua High School in 1928, he attended Miami-Jacobs Business College.  At one point his temper prompted him to withdraw.   The president of the college contacted him and urged him to complete an education.  Allen took the  advice to heart and graduated from the program.

He married Nellie Herron on February 5, 1932.  This union produced four children.   After they married, the Mann's resided in Cincinnati for a  few years before returning to Miami County.  Allen was employed by the   French Oil Mill as an Inventory Control clerk.

 Allen was an avid fisherman and bicyclist.  He was an excellent  guitarist and occasionally played in public.  

Allen also played on the Piqua radio station in the late 1930's / early 40's. 

In his latter years he spent a  great deal of time studying the Bible.  

He died on May  7, 1985, and was survived by his family.