The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
EDITOR SINCERITY DEAD
EXPIRED OF HEART DISEASE ssIOK-
ING A FORBIDDEN CIGAR.
Became millionaire and Eclipscsi All
other Philadelphia Editors,
Then Failed.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27.-WiIliam NJ.
Singerly died suddenly at his residence, 1701
Locust street, this afternoon. Heart disease
was the immediate cause of death. Mr..
Singerly had been suffering for about ten
days from cold and had remained at home
since last Wednesday, although his indis-
position was in no way serious. While sit
ting in his bedroom smoking cigar he was
Immediately afterwards fell over dead. In
the room at the time were Mr.. Singerly's
granddaughter. Miss Mabel Singerly Mere
dith, and two servants. His son-in-law,
James s. Mccartney, had left few mo-
ments before the sudden end came. leaving
Mr.. Singerly apparently in good health,
apart from his slight cold
The physicians say they had frequently
cautioned Mr.. Singerly that his heart was
weak as a result OF excessive smoking and
Of late his custom was 10 take a dry
smoke" To-day, however, his cigar was
lighted and It is thought that the smoke
brought on the coughing spell, the severity
of which ruptured vessel of the heart.
Mr. Singerly leaves a daughter, Mrs. E.
Sngery Balch, who is at present touring
Europe.
William M. Singerly was proprietor OF the
Record Publishing Company, president OF
the Chestnut National Bank and the Chest
nut-street Savings Fund and Trust Com
pany, which recently collapsed, and presi-
dent of the Singerly pulp and paper mill.
He was a member of the Paramount Park
Commission and until lately the treasurer.
and a trustee Of the Philadelphia CONNER
cial Museum. He was born in this city
Dec. %, 1892, and with the exception of
brief period in his early manhood, when he
conducted a commission business in Chi
cago, has lived here ever since. His father,
Joseph Singerly, was one of the originators
of the street-railway system of Philadelphia
and William returned here to assume the
management of the Germantown Passenger
Railway Company. In 1887 he bought the
Record, then a comparatively feeble jour-
nal and brought it to its present standard
of excellence.
In 1887 upon the retirement of Governor
Pattison from Office Mr.. Singerly took an
active part in establishing the Chestnut
street National Bank, of which the ex-Gov-
ernor became the first president Upon Mr..
Pattison being called for second time
to the governorship of Pennsylvania Mr..
Singerly succeeded him as president of the
bank and also became president of the
Chestnut-street Trust and Savings Fund
Company. In seeking relaxation from the
cares OF business Mr. Singerfy had for
many years taken a keen interest in farm
ing and stock raising. His herds of Hol-
stein cattle at his large farm at Gwyned,
in Montgomery county, were famous for
years, and he was also owner of the Elk
ton stock farm, near Elkton, Cecil county,
Maryland.
Mr.. Singerly was always an active DEM
ocrat. In 1894 he was unanimously made
the Democratic candidate for Governor of
crgy into the canvas, speaking In nearly
every county in the State. In all he made
over seventy speeches in upholding the
cause of Democracy. The natural Repub-
lican majority of Pennsylvania was too
great to be overcome however, and his
competitor, General Hastings, carried off
the prize. During the last national cam
paign he supported the Palmer and Buck
ner ticket making number of speeches in
its behalf I'm Pennsylvania, Delaware and
Maryland, and organizing local associa-
ton in aid of the movement. He also took
Bankers Association.
Financial misfortune overlook Mr.. Singer
ly during the last few months of his life,
when, on Dec. %, the Chestnut-street Ma
tional Bank and Trust Company were COM
PEELED to close their doors Messrs. Earle
Company and managers Of plan looking
to the liquidation of the affairs of both
Institutions. Mr. Singerly promptly turned
over to them every personal asset he pos
sessed, including his interest in the Record.
Since then receiver has been appointed
Trust Company are in process of settle
ment.