My Genealogy Hound

James M. Singer was born on the farm where he now resides in 1858, being the third of thirteen children born to Jefferson and Susan (Quimby) Singer, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, respectively. The father moved to Arkansas, and settled in what is now Bradley County in 1840, they being almost the only settlers for some time, although Mr. Singer’s brother Tom had previously made a settlement here. He afterward moved to near Warren, where he in time became a wealthy planter, owning some 800 acres of land. All his farm products were shipped from Moro Bay to New Orleans by steamboat. His death, which occurred in 1873, at the age of fifty-four years, was a source of much sorrow and regret to all who knew him, for he had always been very public-spirited, was honorable and upright in all his transactions, and kind and friendly in his relations with all. His widow survives him, and makes her home with her son, James M. The latter, from his earliest recollections, has been familiar with farm life, so that upon the death of his father he was thoroughly capable of taking upon himself the management of the farm, and has been very successful in its conduct. One hundred acres are under cultivation, and about fifty are devoted to the raising of cotton, which will average one-half bale to the acre. The rest is devoted to corn and other grains. On the place is a large, steam cotton-gin, which is capable of turning out 200 bales per day, which was erected in 1875, the father having put up a horse-power gin at an early day. This property is some of the most valuable in the township, and the uncleared land is heavily covered with timber. James M. Singer was married in 1882, to Miss Fannie Baker, but she died after three years of married life, leaving one child, Una B., and in December, 1888, he wedded Miss Cora Reeves, who died in childbirth about one year later, her infant surviving her, named Cora Bell.