Miami Union

December 15, 1910 

SINGER, JOHN W. - John W. Singer, a former resident of this county and a brother of George P. Singer, Mrs. Amanda Day and the Misses Mary and Elizabeth Singer of near Covington, died at his home in Farmer City, Ill., Tuesday, November 29th.  Gangrene of the foot was one of the causes of his death but the infirmities of his advanced age were largely responsible for it.  He located in Farmer City in 1880 and since then had been one of its leading figures  He served repeatedly in the board of education and the city council and was a leading spirit in local politics and did much for the advancement of the city's interests.  A large part of his business career was devoted to the nursery business but on giving this up he conducted a real estate and insurance office until failing health necessitated retirement.  He was born in Miami county, O., September 30, 1832, one of the seven children of George and Susanne Gessemen Singer.  He went west in young manhood and on June 29, 1880, was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Richmond at Mackinaw, Ill., locating in Farmer City in the fall of that year.  Two children were born to them--Mrs. Willis Nichols and Anna Louvene, who died an infant of only a few weeks in 1889.  Besides Mrs. Singer and Mrs. Nichols there survive a brother and three sisters, Mary A. and Elizabeth Singer, George P. Singer and Mrs. Amanda Day, all living near Covington, and too aged and infirm to attend their brother's funeral.  Mr. Singer joined the German Reformed church in his youth and never removed his membership from the original church.  In Masonry he was a Knight Templar, being a member of the Troy, O., commandery, No. 17.  The funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Dec. 2 at 2 o'clock at the late home, the Masonic fraternity having charge and Rev. George E. Seriger delivered the oration.