John M. Singer

     John M. Singer was born on 25 December 1828 at Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Samuel Singer and Jane [—?—]. John M. Singer first married Hannah M. McCombs circa 1851. John M. Singer married a second time, at age 43, Mary Elizabeth Yoakum, age 30, daughter of Washington Campbell Yoakum and Mary Elizabeth Tunstill, on Monday, 25 December 1871.
     From Gary R. Hawpe, ed. and comp., 'John M. Singer,' Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter, Vol. 4 No. 8 (June 2001), pp. 9 - 10.

JOHN M. SINGER

JOHN M. SINGER, blacksmith, wagon-maker and fruit-grower, came to Kansas in February, 1857, and located at Ottumwa, Coffey Co., Kansas. Was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, December, 1861. He served four years, and was in all the engagements of his command. Was mustered out in the spring of 1865. Was Second Lieutenant, commanding the company the most of the time. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., December 25, 1828. His parents were Samuel and Jane Singer. He left Pennsylvania in 1852. After living at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for one year, he went to California, and thence to Coffey County, Kansas. He was married September 13, 1860, to Hannah M. McCombs, by whom he had one child - Carrie Ellen. His first wife dying October 9, 1863, he again married December 25, 1871, Mrs. Mary Downs, a widow lady, whose maiden name was Zoakum (sp). Her native place was Tennessee. She has three children by her first husband-Fannie, Lewis W. and Mollie Downs. Mr. Singer and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a delegate to the State Convention in 1878, and again in 1882.

History of the State of Kansas by William G. Cutler.