Words of praise or periods of encomium could not clearly convey the
personal characteristics of the noble woman of whom the biographer now
essays to write in this connection, for only those who have had the goody
fortune to know her personally can see the true beauty of her character and
individual traits, which have been the resultant, very largely, of a long
life of devotion to duty, a life filled with good deeds to others and led
along worthy planes. Mrs. Singer lives in Tonti township, Marion county,
where she successfully manages a fine landed estate, exercising rare
sagacity of foresight and business acumen, which always result in definite
success, and as a result of her commendable characteristics she enjoys the
friendship of a large circle of acquaintances in this community.
Mrs.
Judith Singer was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1838, the
daughter of Peter and Lyda (Mildenberger) Beisel. The Beisel family came to
America from Germany in an early day and settled in Pennsylvania, where they
developed farms and made comfortable homes. The parents of our subject
always lived on a farm, and when her father died, Grandfather Beisel moved
to Illinois, and the mother of the subject was married and came to Illinois
in 1867, settling in Marion county. She was a good woman and her home life
was calculated to foster right principles in her children. The father of the
subject was a man of many sterling traits of character, always bearing a
good name.
Judith Beisel was given every advantage possible by her
parents, and while her early educational training was not extensive, she
applied herself in a diligent manner and has since been an avid reader of
the best general literature with the result that she is an entertaining and
instructive talker, especially when she elucidates on the pioneer days and
the aftermath of commercial development of this section of the country.
Our subject was married to Oscar Singer January 2, 1858, the ceremony
having been performed in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Singer was
born in Germany on June 18, 1834. He was educated in the Fatherland, and
came to the United States with his parents when eighteen years old, where he
learned to be a mechanic of no mean ability. He worked at his trade in
Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, being regarded as one of the best men in
the institution where he was employed. He later moved to St. Louis, where he
went into business on his own account, and in which city he was living when
he was called from his earthly labors on November 20, 1882. His remains were
interred in the cemetery at Salem, Illinois. He was a good business man,
honest and industrious and made friends wherever he went. He was a
public-spirited man, being a loyal Republican in politics.
Mrs.
Singer purchased an eighty acre farm in Tonti township, Marion county, in
1883, and moved thereto soon afterward, having resided there ever since. It
is a splendid place, well managed and highly improved in every respect,
producing excellent crops from year to year and yielding a comfortable
income for the family. Mrs. Singer's home is one of the most attractive in
the community. Good stock of various kinds and a fine variety of poultry are
to be seen about the place.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Singer. Two boys and three girls are living at this writing, namely: Ida is
the wife of Will W. Langridge, who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana; Lillie is
the wife of Lewis Parks, who lives on a farm; Lillie travels for an
Indianapolis firm; Oscar married Maude Kline and lives on a farm; Rose L. is
a bookkeeper at Salem, Illinois. All these children had careful training and
all received a good common school education.
Extracted 03 Nov 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 301-303.