Middletown transcript., 1898-03-05
WILLIAM M. s1NeERLY DEAD:
Stricken Down by Long Threatened
o. q nNr.n1n Inlc

| Stricken Down by Long Threatened
Heart Trouble.
William M. Singerly, editor of 'The
Philadelphia Record" and president of
Of "The Record" Publishing Company, died
suddenly at o'clock Sunday afternoon at
his home, No. 1701 Locust street, Philadel-
phia. For ten days he had been somewhat
indisposed, but no serious results we're
feared, and the news of his death came as
great shock to his many friends.
For years Mr.. Singerly had suffered from
a weak heart, and both he and his family
had been warned that he might be carried
off at any moment from this cause. There
had been nothing recently, however, to in
dicate any immediate danger, aud Sunday
morning he felt in better spirits than for
some days.
William Miskey Singerly was native of
Philadelphia, and, with the exception Of "a
brief period spent in Chicago, had lived all
his life in that city, to whose welfare he
was passionately devoted. He was born on
December q, 1882, and was the son Of JOS
eph singerly and Catharine Miskey Singer
ly, the latter of whom died only a few
months ago at an advanced age. Educated
in the public schools, he graduated from
the Central High School in 1850, after
which he spent ten years in produce COM
mission house on the river 'front.'
About this time street railways were in
troduced in Philadelphia, and the elder
Singerly became pioneer in this new line
of industry, being largely interested in the
old Fourth and Eighth streets and German
town lines. He called upon his son to as
sist him in the management of these prop
critics. Mr.. Singerly showed marked ability
in this work and did much toward building
up the roads making them valuable sys-
tenn. Seeking. however, different field for
his engeries, he left Philadelphia in 1870
and went to Chicago where he engaged in
business as commission merchant. From
this work he was recalled soon by his father
who gave him the management of the
Germantown Passenger Railway Company.
1t was while thus occupied, at the same
time taking an active interest in politics
as Democrat, that Mr. Singerly purchased
"The Record" in 1877. Started a few
years before, the paper had never been
financial success, and at the time it changed
hands was struggling along with daily
circulation of scarcely 6O00 copies. By re-
ducing the price to cent Mr.. Singerly be-
came the pioneer in America in printing a
first-class morning newspaper for a cent,
marking out the way in which so many
other journals have since followed it, Ag-
gressive methods were at once introduced
into "The Record" and its circulation.
growing steadily and rapidly, has ever
since gone on increasing, until it has now
nearly reached the 200, 900 mark.
In 1894 Mr.. Singerly was unanimously
made the Democratic candidate for Cover
nor, and he entered with great energy into
the campaign that followed. He spoke in
nearly every county of the State, and in all
made over seventy speeches. The natural
Republican majority of Pennsylvania, how
ever, was too great to be overcome and
General Hastings was elected.
In 1887, upon the retirement of Governor
Patterson from Office, Mr.. Singery took an
active part in establishing the Chestnut
Street National Bank, of which the ex-Gov-
ernor became the first president. Upon |
Mr.. Patterson being called for a eecond |
time to the Governorship of Pennsylvania, |
Mr.. Singerly succeeded him as president of |
the bank. He was also president of the
Chestnut Street Trust and Savings Fund |
Company.
In many of the diversified interests which |
claimed Mr.. Singerly's attention he aimed |
rather at the improvement and advance
ment of Philadelphia that at his own profit. |
This led to his extensive building operation |
in the northwestern section Of the city, |
where over 1000 houses were erected by |
him; to the construction Of the fine home |
of "The Record and the handsome bank |
building on Chestnut street above Seven
enteenth, and to other projects looking to |
the increase of the city's business interests. |
Everything intended to benefit Philadel- |
phia always found in him an enthusiastic |
advocate, and he was generous supporter
of all good causes.
Mr.. 6ingerly was twice married, and |
leaves one child, Mrs. Elizabeth Singerly |
Bslch, and two grandchildren. Miss Mabel |
Singerly Meredith and William Singerly |
Mccartney, both children of daughter
now dead, Mrs. Katharine Singerly Nc |
Cartney.