[1] In 1883, during summer break while attending the University of Mississippi, Manning and a fraternity brother acquired the use of a circus elephant.

[1] He later bought a controlling interest in and was general manager of the Tucson Ice & Electric Light Company for two years, making a “considerable fortune” when he sold it.

In 1904 Manning, Charles M. Shannon, and Epes Randolph opened the Santa Rita Hotel in Tucson.

[2] In 1904 Manning homesteaded 160 acres in the Rincon Mountains to the east of Tucson, building a cabin that still exists today.

[5] In 1906 Manning was instrumental in bringing an electric trolley system to Tucson that replaced horse and mule drawn vehicles.