Singleton F. Greene, who departed this life January 10, 1905, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, was the first while child born south of Macoupin creek in Greene county, and throughout his entire life he remained in that locality, contributing his full share to the material, intellectual and moral progress, and so living as to command the respect and confidence of all. The friends of his boyhood had largely passed away and even many of the acquaintances of early manhood and middle life had gone to their reward, yet he lived on, a blessing to his community, his example an inspiration to young and old, rich and poor. He was a sincere Christian gentlemen with whom religion was a matter of daily living rather than of principle and he left to his family an untarnished name, as well as the extensive and valuable estate which represented the years of his labor and excellent business ability.

Mr. Greene was born December 13, 1820, and was of Scotch lineage, the first representatives of the name in America crossing the Atlantic from Scotland during the colonial epoch in our country's history and settling in South Caroline. The grandfather, George Greene, was born in that state when it was still an English colony and at the time of the Revolutionary war he espoused the American cause and fought for the independence of the natin. Attracted by the possibilities of the recently developed west he came to Illinois about 1812, settling in Sangamon county, where he spent his remaining days. The tract of land on which he located was found to lie in both Sangamon and Menard counties after their division.

His son, John W. Greene, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and served his country in the war of 1812. During that time he was a rsident of Madison county, Illinois, where he continued to make his home until 1819, when he located within the disrict now comprised in Greene county, although the county was not then organized. He was one of the commissioners appointed by the state government to establish the county seat of Greene county. Subsequently he located about two and three-fourths miles northeast of the present village of Kane, where he made his home throughout his remaining days. He was a very prominent and influential man, leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon the public life of his county and state. Well fitted for leadership he aided in shapingpublic thought and action and he served for three terms in the state legislature, being a member of the house at the time of his death, which occurred in 1843. He was a man of marked ability and prominence in his day and his name is indelibly inscribed on the early annals of the commonwealth. His business affairs, too, were capably conducted and he acquired considerable property. He married Miss Nancy Mains, a native of South Carolina, and they became the parents of fourteen children, of whom two are living: Elias and William E. Greene, who are still residents of this county.

Singleton Foster Green, the third in order of birth in that family, was reared on the old homestead, eraly becoming familiar with the experiences of pioneer life. He had only such advantages as the time and locality afforded. He was trained to the work of the farm and throughout his entire life was actively associated with agricultural pursuits. He noted the opportunities for profitable investments and as his financial resources increased he added to his farm property until at this death he left an estate of more than one thousand acres of the righ and very valuable land of Greene county. The greater part of this was under cultivation and he also engaged in the raising of fine stock, owning some very superior houses of fine breeds. He was the organizer and for a number of years was at the head of the banking firm of S.F. Greene & Company at Kane and made this one of the most reliable financial concerns of the county. He delighted in the progress of the county and did much to stimulate ambition and progressiveness among the agricultural class in connection with the Greene Coutny Fair Association, of which he was a stockholder for a half century, serving for a time as its president and for several terms as director.

Mr. Greene was quite prominent in local political circles in earlier years and gave his support to the Democratic party. He was elected county sheriff in 1866 and in 1877 was chosen county commissioner, the business of the conty being then transacted by three commissioners. In these public offices he served the people faithfully and honorably and at all times he advanced every movement which he believed would contribute to the general good. He supported the churches and schools, being a warm friend of the cause of publis educationa nd a devoted member of the Kane Baptist church, his life being an exemplification of many Christian virtues.

Mr. Green was married twice. In 1846 he wedded Miss Polly Witt, daughter of Franklin Witt. She died November 11, 1850, leaving a son, John Hardin reen, who resides east of Kane. On the 2d of September, 1852, Mr. Green married Miss Eliza Jane Witt, a daughter of William P. Witt and a cousin of his first wife. She still survives him. The children of this marriage are as follows: William R., no deceased; Hattie, the wife of C.G. Richards, who is engaged in farming in Kane township; Robert W., a banker of Kane; Mary E., the wife of William Scanlon, of Rockyford, Colorado; Justina, the wife of E.A. Culver, of Kane; and Walter B., also a resident of Kane.

Mr. Greene remained an active factor in business life and in community affairs until his last illness, which was of only two weeks' duration. He displayed the vigor of a man of much younger years. Few men of this part of the state were more widely known and none commanded in higher measure the trust and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. His community benefitted by his life and labors, and sincere and widespread regret was felt when he was called from this life. He passed away January 10, 1905, and his pall bearers were his four grandsons and two sons-in-law. Thus was terminated an earthly career but his influence will long be felt as his activity touched all the various lines that contribute to the upbuilding and permanent development of the community in which he lived from birth to death--a long period of eighty-four years.

Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller