The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-23
RINGTowN, PA, Sept. 20, 1907.

To-day we laid in his last resting
place Father Lorenz Singley, the
oldest inhabitant of this section or
country. Father Singley, son of
Jacob Singley and his wife Mary
Catharlne, nee Klotz, was born Au-
gust 6, 1900 in Penn township Nor
Hampton County and came with his
parents in 1902, at the age of two
years into what is now Beaver Town
ship, Columbia County, and settled
about three miles East of St. Peters
Union Church lutheran and Re-
formedD commonly called Harrier's
Church. He was the eighth Of a
family Of fifteen children and the last
survivor but one of this large family.
Now, that Father Singley is gone, the
only survivor is the youngest of the
fifteen children, Daniei Singley of
Beaver Township, Columbia County,
who, though in his eighty-fourth year
is still SO vigorous physically and
mentally as to bid fair to attain his
departed brothers advanced age.
In 1924 Lorenz Singley was mar
ried to Miss Catharine Gearheart. In
happy wedlock they lived together 40
years until the date of her death,
May 81, 1873. He survived his wife
upwards OF "a years.
This marriage was blessed with IL
children, 9 sons and 4 daughters. All
except one daughter survive and were
present at the funeral. The deceased
daughter, Mrs. Joshua Rnmbel. died
Sept. 81, 1887 as the result of an
accident.
The direct descendants number
aro, viz. I3 children, az grand chill
dren, I3I great grand children, and 3
great great grand children. By mar
riage this large relationship is swelled
to still much larger number. Five
generations were present at the funer-
al, the first being represented by the
only brother, and the fifth by two
great-great-grand children, babes in
arm.
In IS4a, hence S. years ago,
Lorenz Singley settled with his family
in what is now North Union Town
ship, Schuylkill County, in the wilder
ness, and hewed out home for him.
self and his family Here he lived
the remainder of his life and here he
died.
Father Slngley was an excellent
man, loyal citizen, a consistent
christian, a faithful member and
steady supporter of the church of his
fathers, the Evangelical Lutheran
Church.
Old age was his only disease. Until
few months ago he could still walk
out about his home and attend to
some lighter work. He still attended
church within the last year. He re.
ceived the Communion privately, from
the hands Of his pastor, when he could
not do SO with the congregation.
A month or two ago he commenc-
ed to fail more rapidly. But he was
able to be up until Monday Sept 1s.
On Thursday, Sept. 16, at $3.50
o'clock P. NJ, he fell asleep IN Jesus
as gently and peacefully as little
child falls asleep in its mothers arms.
To-Day we laid his mortal remains in
the beautiful Gods acre of the Mount
Zion Evangelical Lutheran, there to
await the resurrection Of the just.
Father Singleys age is 81 years, I
month and 10 days. A large con-
course of people attested their regard
for the departed and his family by
their presence at the funeral.
What wondrous changes have taken
place on everyside and everyway IN
the long lifetime of Father Singley ?
Our country by means of the Lou
isiana Purchase, Spanish Cession and
Mexican Acquisition has enlarged her
area more than fouriold, i. e. from
about $4,000 square miles to about
$4,000 square miles. This does
not include Alaska. Her population
increased from 5.3o5,ooo to about
7o,ooo,ooo. The Steamboat, the
Rail Road, the Teleg,a aph, the Tele-
phone have taken their place and how
strange it would seem to do without
them ? The scythe has given place
to the mower, the sickle to the binder,
the fail, to the separator And these
are but illustrations. Literally hun
dreds of inventions to underrate mans
condition have been made.
A few months before Mr.. Singley's
birth only IS of the &c counties now
constituting Pennsylvania were organ
lied 10 were organized during the
year of his birth, and 81 since.
Neither Columbia nor Schuylkill
County were organized. Beaver
Township then belonged to Nor
thumberland County, Union Town
ship either TO Berks or Northampton
Co. most likely to the latter fSchuvl