My Family Tree

Les was born on September 8 1892 in Kingston, Prince Edward Island, the eldest son of Johnstone Mann and Elizabeth McFadyen.

Les Mann was proud of his Scots heritage, and often spoke of his Mann, McFadyen and Johnstone ancestors, and when I started this branch of the family tree I stumbled on names that I remembered him talking about, like the Beer and McFadyen families and St. Paul's Church in Charlottetown.

When Les was around 8 years old, his father died. It isn't clear from the census records if Les had to leave school early to help out on the farm, but his formal schooling may have been cut short.

In February 1923, the Guardian noted that "Leslie Mann. Burlington, spent Sunday in Clinton, the guest of Mr. John Watts." He married Bertha Jane Watts on February 20 1924 in Kensington. They had 6 children, four girls and two boys. Les worked as a farmer and potato warehouseman. His eldest daughter said that times were tough for the family during the depression. A potato warehouseman depended on farmers being able to pay his invoices, and money was sometimes scarce. Later in life, some farmers told his daughter Wanda that they were just starting out at that time, and that Les Mann gave them a break - otherwise they might have lost their farm.

Les was a well-known man in Kensington. In July 1947, the Guardian reported that Mr. Leslie Mann. produce dealer of Kenslngton. has been ill for some time at his home. Guardian 1948 - Mr. Leslie Mann (produce dealer) declined re-nonmination and an election will take place in the near future to fill the vacancy. In 1949, Les was a member of the Board of Managers of the Presbyterian Church of Kensington. He again served on the Kensington Town Council in 1953.

After his wife died, he tried living with his daughters, but didn't like living in the country, and missed being independent. He moved back to Kensington, and found a boarding house. Everyday he had his routine, walking up to the local barbershop where his cronies hung out and swapped stories. He bought his weekly Lotto ticket. (the ticket found with him when he died won $100)

Les smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. He died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 82 years. He had just been up to the barbershop, and fell flat on his face. The ladies in his boarding house thought he was joking, at first.

Obituary in The Guardian 15 Feb. 1975 page 17