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Appanoose County >> 1913 Index Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa: ... S Unless otherwise specified, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. George A. Singley, cashier of the Moulton State Savings Bank and vice president of the Exline Savings Bank, is a native of Appanoose county, his birth having occurred on his father's farm in Washington township, on the 1st of January, 1860. The family is of German extraction, the paternal great-grandfather having been born and reared in the old country, whence he emigrated to America in colonial days. He located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and there passed the remainder of his life. He was a strong advocate of the rights of the colonists and valiantly served in the ranks during the Revolution. His son, George, was born March 28, 1772, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1829, when he removed to Johnstown, in the same state, at which place he owned and operated a canal boat until 1840, when he removed to Nauvoo, Illinois. He came to Appanoose county in 1854 and took up a tract of government land in Washington township, where he engaged in farming and also followed the trade of a gunsmith until age compelled his retirement. He died at the age of one hundred and nine while his father lived to the advanced age of one hundred and ten and his mother was one hundred and five years of age at the time of her death. His son, George W. Singley, whose natal year was in 1818, was the father of our subject. He was born and reared in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he learned the machinist's trade and was for some years employed in the Baldwin Locomotive Works of that city. In 1858 he came to Iowa and, purchasing a tract of government land in Washington township, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In connection with farming he worked at the machinist's and gunsmith's trades and installed engines. He was married September, 1843, in Johnston, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary A. Treftz, whose natal day was the 8th of March, 1824. She is also of German extraction, her father, Adam Treftz having been born and reared in the old country where he served as a member of the king's body guard. To Mr. and Mrs. Singley were born nine children, our subject being the sixth in order of birth, the first, Sophia, having died at the age of two years. The other members of the family are as follows: William H., who resides in Bloomdale, Ohio; Lowman and Jennie, who are deceased; Alice, who married Robert R. Wilson [see Thomas Wilson bio of Linn County 1887] and now resides at Moulton; Ella, the wife of W. C. Kapp of Warrensburg, Missouri; Mary F., who is at home with the mother; and Matilda, the wife of A. H. Corey, of Des Moines. The father passed away in September, 1892, but the mother is still living and will celebrate the eighty-ninth anniversary of her birth, March 8, 1913. George A. Singley was reared at home and at the usual age began his education in the public schools. He subsequently attended the Leander Clark College at Toledo, Iowa, then known as Western College, at which institution he completed a four-year course. During his student days he became quite well known in college circles by reason of holding the office of president of the Iowa State Oratorical Association. Upon completing his education he returned to Moulton and for twenty-three years thereafter was in the employ of R. B. Carson. He established the reputation of being a trustworthy and reliable man of business and in 1908 was called to the position of cashier of the Moulton State Savings Bank, of which he is one of the directors. He is likewise a stockholder and vice president of the Exline Savings Bank. On the 30th of January, 1898, Mr. Singley was married to Miss Eva Barnes, a daughter of J. T. and Cynthia (Wood) Barnes, who resided in Parke county, Indiana, at the time of her birth, November 15, 1869, and later removed to Appanoose county. The father and mother are now living in Moulton. To Mr. and Mrs. Singley have been born seven children, as follows: George C., Thomas E. who died in infancy; William Clifford; Albert H.; Helen Roberta; and Maude Etta and Mary Eva, who are twins. The family attend
the Presbyterian church and f[r]aternally Mr. Singley is affiliated
with the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Iowa Bankers Association,
through the medium of which he keeps in touch with those who are actively
connected with the banking interests of the state. Mr. Singley has for
twenty-eight years been secretary of the school board of Washington
township. He has never sought public honors or political preferment.
He is a man of good principles, commendable business methods and high
standards of citizenship, all of which have united in winning him the
respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen, many of whom were friends
and comrades of his boyhood. He now resides on the old homestead north
of Moulton, where he was born. |