Thomas Singmaster

As printed in 1903

THOMAS SINGMASTER.

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 A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.