The Singmaster Family of Keokuk County, Iowa

SAMUEL SINGMASTER. No history of Keokuk county would be complete without mention of Samuel Singmaster, who for many years contributed largely to the development of the county ami to its progress and improvement along substantial lines. He was a man whom to know was to respect and honor.

Without ostentation or display, he lived so as to win the high regard and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. There were no exciting chapters in his life history, yet there was much worthy of emulation, for he was always true to his friends, faithful to his family and reliable and trustworthy in business. He passed away April 18, 1899, and it is safe to say that no death in the community has ever been more deeply regret ted than that of Samuel Singmaster. He accomplished much in life that yet benefits those who knew him and he left to his family an untarnished name, which is above great riches.

Mr. Singmaster was born in McCungie, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1807, and was therefore ninety-one years of age when called to his final rest. His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania and were of German lineage. In their family were eight sons and one daughter. During his early youth Samuel Singmaster labored industriously upon his father's farm, receiving but limited educational privileges. He served a three-years' apprenticeship in a tannery of Philadelphia and afterward worked for two years in the same establishment for the small salary of seventy-two dollars per year. When twenty-four years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Perry county, Pennsylvania.

An important event occurred in his life the following year, for he was married in Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Mary C. Seischolts, a young lady then twenty-two years of age. For many years they traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. They reared, too, a family who have been a credit to their name. The year after his marriage Samuel Singmaster and his brother Jacob established a tannery in Millerstown, Perry county, which they conducted successfully for a lew years, when they sold out and with the proceeds built a larger tannery in the same town. Their business increased until it enabled them to employ sixty men. However, they sold their second factory in order tk> build a still greater one and the third one was sold to Mr. Miller, their brother-in-law. He found it impossible to pay promptly and after a time the tannery was destroyed by tire, causing a total loss, as there was no insurance. Mr. Sing-master and his brother never tried to collect the consideration and therefore they suffered to a considerable extent from the lire.

About that time our subject removed to a more western district in Pennsylvania and turned his attention to farming, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he made partial payments. In speaking of this period of his life he said he had "four workhorses with one eye among the whole drove." lie possessed a resolute spirit and determination and from early morning until dewey eve he was found in the fields, and in harvest time he reaped a good crop of wheat, about fifteen hundred bushels. This brought a good price, one dollar ami a half per bushel, and enabled him not only to meet his indebtedness, but also to have one thousand dollars clear as his earnings. He then sold his farm and purchased a larger one of one hundred and forty acres, paying one-half of the amount down. A year later he sold this place at a good profit and at that time took up his above in Millerstown. about thirty miles from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a home worth fifteen hundred dollars. With his remaining capital, and also a sum that he borrowed, he embarked in the cattle business, purchasing droves of from sixty to one hundred head of cattle in Ohio and driving them to the Philadelphia market. This enterprise also proved a profitable one. He also drove some sheep and horses to market, but he Eoun !

that lie could realizenothing off of these and accordingly confined his attention to dealing in cattle. One of the marked characteristics of Mr. Ringmaster's career was the readiness with which he recognized that business conditions would prove either profitable or disastrous, and choosing, of course, the former, he carried forward his labors until they brought to him a very desirable competence. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west he made his way to Missouri, in 1842, but finding that he could not obtain a clear title to land in that state he came to Iowa. He was pleased with the west and in Keokuk county he purchased in 1843 a claim on which were a few hogs and cattle, buying these of George Washington Maley, one of the honored pioneers of the county. He paid fifteen hundred dollars for a tract of land comprising three hundred and twenty acre- Returning home he sent out Frank Xorih to take charge of the purchase. In 1X44 lie sold Ins real estate in Millerstown for fifteen hundred dollars. Of this amount fine hundred dollars was paid in cash and for the remainder he took wooden clocks and leather, but while the family were en route from the Keystone state to Keokuk county, Iowa, the weights of the clocks were either lost or stolen between Pittsburg and Burlington, and in consequence the timepieces sold for a mere trifle. He retailed the clocks and leather among his neighbors in Iowa, but as he gave credit to many new acquaintances he afterward found that it was difficult to make collections. lie however brought with him one thousand dollars, which in 1844 he invested 111 calves, and thus he became one of the first cattle dealers of Keokuk county. lie was assisted in his work by his son Charles and it was a noticeable fact concerning the family history that the father and sons always worked together in entire harmony, continuing business aa family affair through main years. For a long period Mr. Singmaster carried on his stock-raising interests with success. His first large sale was hundred head of cattle, which brought him twenty-five hundred dollars. His first home was a primitive log cabin, such as was common in pioneer times, and after he had made his sale of the one hundred head of cattle he had his sons haul lumber from Iowa City, with which he erected a larger and more modern residence, which remained his home until his death. As time advanced his profits increased, he made judicious investments in real estate, becoming one of the most extensive land owners of this part of Iowa. The business was conducted by the father and sons until the time of the death of William Singmaster, his youngest son, in 1891. When Charles, another son, arrived at the age of fifty-two years, his father deeded to him eight hundred acres of land on which he yet resides, while the son Thomas remained in partnership with the father until the latter's demise. The Singmasters probably became more widely known through their importations of fine horses than in any other of their business transactions. In 1875 the firm began business in this way, William and Charles having charge of the enterprise while the father furnished the capital. In that year they imported four head of horses and gradually increased the number until their importations were very extensive, and between the years 1884 and 1888 each son imported from eighty to one hundred and forty head.

When Mr. Singmaster removed to Iowa, the family consisted of himself, wife, and five children, namely: Charles F., born February 29, 1834; Sarah, born June 15, 1836; Eliza, born March 9, 1838; Thomas, born Febrbnary 16, 1840: and James, born July 4, 1842, died on June 16, 1866. The same year another child, Henry, was added to the family. He was born October is, 1844, and died December 18, 1845.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES F. SINGMASTER.

Charles F. Singmaster was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, February 29, 1834. and came to Keokuk dainty. Iowa, in 1844. with his father. Samuel Singmaster. of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was reared on the farm and early in life became ciated with his father and brothers in the importation and sale of high-class draft hor>es. The style of the linn was Singmaster and Son-, and later Singmaster Bros. In 1891, at the death of William Singmaster. our subject dissolved partnership with his father and his brother Thomas, and established the firm of Singmaster & Sons, he being the senior member of the firm and his sons, J. Omer and Charles A., constituting the other member- Locating about two miles north of Keota the firm has since maintained their horse ranch here. The farm is known as "Maple-hurst." and here are ten large barns, and other ern facilities for the care of their horses, and Mr. Singmaster has a large and modern residence; just across the road in a pleasing cottage home resides his son Charles A., while his son J. Omer and only daughter resides in the parental home.

Mr. Singmaster was married in 1867 to Mary Ann McCarty. daughter of Charles and Mary (Collins) McCarty. Six children were born unto the marriage, three of whom. Samuel,.Mice and Tressa are deceased, those living being J. Omer. who married Edna

\ ercheval; Lharles A., who married Sadie McFarlane; and Sophia, unjnarried.

The firm of Singmaster & Sons is second to no other firm of horse importers in this country. They import and breed Percheron, Belgian, Clyde and Shire drafts, the preference being the Percheron, which our subject deems to meet the largest demand and in his jud \ merit is the best of all draft horses. The sales and shipping barn is located in the town of Keota, and is a model barn, attractive and convenient. Much credit for the splendid success of the firm is due the excellent business judgment and unflagging energy of our subject. He is a hard worker, and carries his undertakings to a successful issue with noticeable determination.

His son. J. Omer, is the purchaser in Europe and mi his judgment much depends; he has gained an enviable reputation among Americans visiting Europe to purchase horses. Charles A. assists his father in the sale of the horses, and. like his father, is a man of energy and splendid business judgement.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Thomas Shipmaster is one of the prominent and representative men of Keokuk county, Iowa, living on section 36, Clear Creek township, on the old family homestead. He is widely known beyond the confines of this county because of his extensive dealing as an importer of fine horses, and in the locality where he has so long resided he is cherished as a faithful man, a worthy citizen and an upright business man. lie was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, February 16. 1840. and is the fourth child of Samuel and Mary Singmaster, who are represented on another page of this work. He was nearly four years of age when brought by his parents to Keokuk county. Iowa, where he has lived continuously since. He was reared upon the old family homestead and during his boyhood he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse during the winter months, mastering the branches of learning therein taught. During the summer season he assisted in the work of the home farm and as he grew in years be was entrusted with more and more of the responsibility of carrying on the farm and conducting the stock dealing operations. As the sons reached their majority they were taken into partnership by the father and the business was conducted jointly by the family until 1891. Thomas Singmaster. however, always remained with his father and after the latter's death took charge of the large estate. Many years ago he began breeding fine horses and dealing in the same. He has also made large investments in real estate and to-day lie is one of the extensive land holders of Keokuk county, his possessions aggregating over three thousand acres, the most of whirl) is in Keokuk and Washington counties. He also has two hundred and forty acres in Nebraska. He handles about four hundred head of cattle each year, having now about three hundred head, and about two hundred head of horses, also five hundred hogs. His stock dealing operations are extensive and profitable because of his excellent judgment concerning stock. Mr. Singmaster is interested in three banks. First National Bank of Richland, the State Bank of Keota, and State Bank of Harper. After his father's death Mr. Singmaster was married to Miss Kate Kaufman, a daughter of John and Mary (Ludwig) Kaufman, and they now have an interesting little daughter, Mary Eva. Mr. Singmaster has been a life-long Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party, yet he has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his entire attention to his business affairs. He is one of the men who have gained for the state its place among the leading agricultural commonwealth of tins great nation. For almost sixty years he has resided in Keokuk county, and from pioneer times down to the present he has been interested in everything pertaining to the general good and has contributed in a large measure to public improvement. The splendid reputation made by the father in business circles has been sustained by the son. Through his large operations in land and stock he has acquired excellent success, which classes him among the wealthy residents of Keokuk county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.