The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-09-01
1sAAc MsRnIrr SING Err.


ISAAC MERRITT SING Err.
This eminent mechanician died at his resi-
dence at Old Paignton, near Torquay, Eng
land, on the aad day Of July, 1875, in the six
ty-fourth year Of his ago.
It rarely happens that Z great mechanical
inventor permanently identities his name with
the useful Inventions be gives 10 the world
The men Of talent too often seize upon and
carry off the fame which properly belongs 10
the men Of genius. Sill more rarely does II
occur that the meritorious inventor secures
the pecuniary rewards which justly pertain to
the highest efforts of the mind.
The subject Of this notice was SO fortunate
as to achieve, in both respects, grand sue
cess, His name and reputation win be per-
petuated by great manufacturing corpora
tion, whose beneficial operations extend over
the whole civilized world, and he died in the
possession and enjoyment of colossal for
tune His father was German, mill-wright
by trade; his mother native of Rensselaer,
County, New York, where the future inven-
tor was born. At an early day the family re-
moved to Oswego, but the father met with lit
tie success in his business, and the son, when
abont twelve years of age, with very imper-
feet school education and no money, departed
from home to which he never returned.
From that time forth, he fought the battle
of life alone. He soon turned his attention
to mechanical work, and maintained himself
lar apprenticeship, and never pretended to be
an accomplished artisan. His mind naturally
employed itself about the novel means Of
reaching important results, and for many
years, while engaged in inventions, II was his
practice to employ the simples materials, such
as steel wire bent to some peculiar shape,
or piece of sheet iron cut to some strange
form, or pine stick curiousIy whitfield with
a pocket knife, to elucidate the principles OF
some Of the most useful and curious mechan-
ical devices. The inventions being thus made
and the method of operation distinctly shown,
any skilled artisan readily put them into per-
manent form. AT one time MIR. Singer was
engaged in the employ of the Messrs. Hoe, in
the city of New York, as machinist, and
then devoted his leisure hours to study for
the stage. He enjoyed the acquaintance, and,
w litsiiNCu tAbSlp Vi idotucy
Poyey Clarke and others, who then adorned
the stage of the old Park theatre.
During several years he was d theatrical
manager, and gave frequent representations
| OF playsin inc interior cities Of Ohio, Penn-.
/ sylvania, and New York. Ina certain line Of
characters he is said to have acted with much
success. To the close of his life he had an
ardent love for theatricals aud music, and in
the splendid mansion, which he had built
within the last few years, theatre, complete
in all its appoint ments, was included.
While he was still young man he invented
steam drilling machine, which was used
with much advantage hi the construction of
various railways and canals subsequently,
he invented machine for carving wood,
metals, or marble. While endeavoring to in
troduce this invention to public notice and use,
his attention was casually directed to the sew
ing machine. At that time "a. D. 1861
though several patents on sewing devices had
been granted in this and other countries, no
practical machine capable of profitable en-
ployment to do ordinary work had ever been
produced.
Up to that time sewing machines had been
experimental merely and had failed to be use-
full. In eleven days the first Singer sewing
machine was invented and built complete. 1t
contained much that was new and useful. sub
sequent improvements, for which numerous
patents were obtained, added greatly to the
value of this machine but 1t was successful
and profitable from the beginning to all con-
cerned in it and, against all competition, has
steadily and continuously increased in public
favor, thus establishing the reputation Of the
inventor and securing him vast fortune. In
1860, Mr.. Singer retired from the active
management of business, and since that time
has resided mainly abroad. After several
years. residence in Paris, he went, with his
family to England, and finally purchased an
estate and settled down at Old Paignton, near
Torquay, in Devonshire. The last years Of
his life were devoted to the Improvement Of
that property, where he dispensed a liberal
hospitality, and to the poor Of that neighbour
hood his death will be severe bereavement.
-
THE SLEEPING CHILD.-There are seasons
peculiarly sweet and soothing, there seemeth
something holy in the air of the dimly lighted
cuduiucIs WucIciu 10 uo oOLiu ucbll uub tu6
soft breathing of the sleeping infant. Ono
feels at such times as if brought nearer to the
Divine presence and with every care and
busy thought gathered into silence, almost
seem as though admitted to the company Of
angels who keep their appointed watch
around the little child one desire only filing
the soul--that our children may grow up to
walk in the way of the righteous. At such
moments, too, how clearly is preceived and
acknowledge the claim Of the Creator over
the young creature he hath formed He hath
breathed into it the breath of life, and hath
given it to mothers keeping. She boweth
herself before Him and rcceiveth from him
this pearl of great price when the Lord maketh
up his jewels to be required of her again.
We all need resistance to our errors on
every side. Woe unto us when all men
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