William Manning played once for Glamorganshire whilst serving in the Glamorganshire Militia. His sole appearance came on 20 and 21 July 1875 against Breconshire at Cardiff Arms Park where, batting at number three, he scored 0 and 3. That summer he also played for the Militia’s team and played some decent innings.
Born in Brecon, he was the son of William Woodward Manning, a Norfolk-born barrister and JP who lived at Colebrook Court, Abergavenny as well as later at Hardwick Lodge in Chepstow. After leaving the Militia, William (junior) joined the Colonial Service in South Africa and worked in Cape Town and Natal, before assisting the British Vice-Consul in Mozambique.
On 13 January 1881 William was married to Minnie, the daughter of Surgeon-General HL Cowen in St.Helier on Jersey. The couple lived briefly in Brittany before William secured a post in South Kensington as an examiner with the Civil Service Commission. However, he was declared bankrupt on 17 March 1883 and then became something of a scoundrel and appeared in court later in the year, accused of obtaining money under false pretenses from at least three people. He pleaded guilty and was given a short sentence before travelling with Minnie to the United States to start a new life, but the pair returned to the UK after a couple of years.
William found work in the West End of London, but in December 1898 he and Minnie were divorced, with William departing again for the United States to pursue a career as a theatrical manager. He subsequently met Anna Margareta Luelker, a lady who had lived in Bremen in Germany and her son Harry who had lived in New York since 1903. The pair were married in January 1909 by which time William had secured a position at a theatre on Broadway. He duly remained in New York for the rest of his life.
MANNING, William Edward
Born: Brecon, 31 December 1853.
Died: New York, 22 February 1923.