He served several terms as sheriff, as well as operated saloons, several livery stables, and a cattle & horse ranch in nearby Belle Fourche in South Dakota.

John remained in Highland until 1860, and shortly thereafter headed West, initially to Colorado, and then Idaho, Montana, Dakota and Alaska.

[1] John Manning remained in Highland, Wisconsin until 1860, and then headed West to Colorado at the time of the gold rush around Pikes Peak.

[6] At the Senate Saloon, Manning was known to have dealt cards to Wild Bill Hickok shortly before being shot and killed by Jack McCall.

[10] The wedding was held at the Sahler House in Deadwood, and was followed by a procession of friends that joined in the celebration, accompanied by the brass band from the Bella Union Theatre.

The local Republican party nominated Seth Bullock as their candidate for sheriff, who had been serving in that capacity for several months as a result of being appointed by the Governor of Dakota Territory, until such time as elections could be held.

[17][18] In 1878, in his first term as Sheriff, Manning arrested William Bell for the murder of Charley Lee, who was robbed and killed for a few dollars and a gold watch.

[21] Healy, who was wanted for murder and stage coach robbery, was captured by Manning in a Deadwood saloon, after tracking him as he moved throughout the city.

[24] In addition to his duties as sheriff, John Manning maintained a horse & cattle ranch at Belle Fourche, Dakota Territory, about 27 miles north of Deadwood.

Although Manning was sheriff, it did not make him immune to crime, as his ranch suffered from several instances of horses and cattle being stolen by both Indians and non-Indians.

The attempt to steal a horse was unsuccessful, and Manning, with assistance from two nearby neighbors pursued Brave Bear on horseback, and eventually captured him at gunpoint.

[28] In 1897, John Manning, who was no longer serving as sheriff, again played a pivotal role in stopping a group of Deadwood vigilantes that were determined to hang Charles Brown for the murder of Emma Stone.

[29] In the early years of Deadwood, John Wallace Crawford, known as the "Poet Scout", became acquainted with John Manning and penned the following poem about the man he knew: Good bye you brave old pioneer, There never breathed a truer friend Than honest Johnny none more dear Where honesty and justice blend We knew you on the wild frontier When savage foe and outlaws too Were curbed and cowed in abject fear Because to duty you were true We knew you when your cabin door Was open wide to those in need And bounteously from out your store You gave that hungry men might feed Ah Johnny Manning friend of mine You'll die as poor as Job's old fowl But on the heavenly range you'll shine While devil broncho busters howl[30] Decades later, Manning & John Crawford were reunited when they were part of a committee to organize the first Fourth of July celebration in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada.

Known by his family, friends & acquaintances as "Johnny", he was the first foreman of the Deadwood Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company & continued to take an active interest in the organization.