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William Riley Maness, general merchant and postmaster at Frumet, was born in Big River Township, on the old homestead farm, October 11, 1849 the son of Elijah and Mary A. (Murrell) Maness. The father was born in Tennessee, in 1811, and at an early age came to this county, settling in Big River Township, among the Indians and wild animals. At an early day he hauled lead to St. Louis with an ox team, bringing back dry goods a distance of fifty miles. He is still living, and is a resident of Big River Township. The mother is deceased. William grew to manhood
on the farm, and secured a fair education in the common schools. He then
farmed in the summer, and taught in the winter, for eight or ten years.
In the spring of 1880 he began merchandising at Frumet in partnership with
A. Mandle. The latter retired in 1885, since which time the business has
been continued by our subject with success.