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W. B. SINGMASTER, Postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise at Dublin, Dutch Creek Township, was born in Lehigh County, Pa., Oct. 16, 1830, and is the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Hyst) Singmaster, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but of German descent. In 1843 the family moved from Pennsylvania to Clark County, Mo., where Charles Singmaster purchased 240 acres of land, and engaged in farming. He remained there until 1854, and then came with his family to Washington County, Iowa, and purchased 200 acres of land in Dutch Creek Township, near Valley post-office. In 1871, being on a visit to his son Edward, residing at Lancaster, Mr. Singmaster, while at church, was stricken with paralysis, and died before he could be removed from the house. His remains were brought back to Washington County and buried in the cemetery near Paris, Dutch Creek Township. He was a sincere Christian, a member of the Christian Church, and was active in all good works. Mrs. Singmaster is yet living in Paris, at the age of eighty-four. She is also a devoted member of the Christian Church. They were the parents of eight children: Sarah married Louis Vermillion, and is no deceased; W. W., the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of William Hollingsworth, of Washington,
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Iowa; Frank, a farmer in Franklin Township; Rebecca, the wife of Newton Conrad, a farmer of Dutch Creek Township; Edward, living on the old home farm; Milton, a hotel-keeper in Kansas.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and was educated in the district schools of his township. On the 12th of March, 1854, he married Sophia B. Flowers, born in 1837, and the daughter of John and Helen (Taylor) Flowers, who were natives of England, but who came to this country in an early day, living for a time in Washington County, Ohio, where Mrs. Singmaster was born. Mr. and Mrs. Singmaster are the parents of five children: A. J., born in September, 1855;, is now attending his father's farm in Dutch Creek Township; Ellen, born in August, 1858, died in the fall of 1872; Rosie, born in 1861, died in the 1882; Mary, born in 1869; and Grace, in 1875. On the 8th of August, 1886, Mrs. Singmaster died. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and a sincere Christian woman, a devoted wife, and a loving and indulgent mother. On the 21st day of July, 1885, Mrs. Singmaster was appointed Postmistress at Dublin, and on her death Mr. Singmaster was commissioned.
In 1882, Mr. Singmaster established a general store at Dublin, in which business he is still engaged. In 1884 he commenced the huckster business, and is now engaged in buying and shipping eggs. In both lines of his trade he is doing exceedingly well. In his dealings with his fellowmen he is ever fair and honest, and has the confidence of the community in which he resides in an eminent degree.On the 9th of January, 1887, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Annie Smith. They live in a pleasant home at Dublin, and are well respected by all who know them.
HUGH LOGAN resides upon section 20, Dutch Creek Township, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, April 12, 1812, and is a son of James and Gracie (Hunter) Logan, who emigrated to Canada in 1831, and from there to New York State in 1836, where the father died about 1850. The mother lived until 1878. They were the parents of six children: Hugh, the subject of this sketch; James, who raised a family of twelve children, and died in St. Lawrence County, N.Y.; Mary A. is now the wife of William Allsion, a farmer in St. Lawrence County, N.Y.; Samuel died in St. Louis, Mo.; John resides in St. Lawrence County, N.Y.; Susan is a resident of Lowell, Mass.
In 1838 the subject of this sketch purchased a farm of 111 acres of partly improved land, and after improving the same, in 1842 sold it and went to Washington County, Pa. In 1843 he was married in that county to Miss Ann Eliza Black, born Feb. 17, 1823, and daughter of William and Mary (Brown) Black. Her father died April 29, 1886, at the age of eighty-nine. Her mother is still living at the age of eighty-four, making her home with her son-in-law, Hugh Logan. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Logan went to New York, where they remained two years, then returned to Pennsylvania, and lived there until 1848, going thence to Guernsey County, Ohio, where Mr. Logan engaged in farming for four years. He then went to Pike County, in the same State, where he remained three years. In the fall of 1854 he came to Washington County, Iowa, and bought 160 acres of land on section 29, Dutch Creek Township, and there began life in the now thrifty State of Iowa. In his farm work he has been quite successful, and in 1881 purchased forty acres adjoining his old farm and now owns 200 acres in one body, 190 being under cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. Logan have had ten children: William A., born Oct. 15, 1844, died Oct. 22, 1848; Gracie, born Sept. 21, 1846, married Oct. 29, 1868, M. T. Wilkins, a farmer now residing in Adams County, Iowa; Mary Ann, born July 20, 1856, died March 4, 1857; Samuel J., born Oct. 13, 1858, died June 26, 1869; David H., born April 10, 1862, is now assistant editor of the Trego County Republican,, at Wa Keeney, Kan.; Ralph E., born Feb. 18, 1864, died Jan. 8, 1877; three died in infancy. Mrs. Logan had three brothers who took part in the late war: Samuel was a member of Co. E, 19th Iowa Vol. Inf.; David of the 11th Iowa Infantry; and George. Her son-in-law, Mr. Wilkins,
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was also a member of the 19th Iowa. All returned home, but with health greatly impaired.
Mr. Logan has been fairly successful in life, but all that he has was secured by his own exertions, assisted by his wife and family. Until after reaching his majority, he remained with his parents, helping provide for the family. It was always his desire to come West, and as soon as possible he did so, and since coming has been greatly blest, his farm being regarded among the best in Dutch Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Logan are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was originally a Whig, but since its organization has been acting with the Republican party. He cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. He has held all the various township offices with credit to himself and to his constituents. Socially he is well esteemed by all.
J. L. HALL, merchant tailor, at Washington, Iowa, was born in New York City, on the 12th of June, 1824. He is the son of Joseph and Amelia Hall, who were natives of England. His mother dying when he was but a small boy, and his father subsequently marrying, the home life of young Hall was not such as he desired, and he therefore left at a very early age. When fifteen years old, he was apprenticed to a tailor, with whom he served six years, receiving his board and washing and $20 per year. On account of poor health, he left New York in 1845, going thence to Canada, then to Erie, Pa., where he worked as a journeyman tailor.
In 1847 Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Mary Jane Hall, a native of Beaver County, Pa. In 1855 he came with his family to Iowa, and located at Washington, where he has since continued to reside, working at his trade, and being among the oldest business men of the city. In politics, Mr. Hall has always adhered to the principles of the Democratic party, though liberal when it comes to local affairs. He is a member of Washington Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M., and of Cyrus Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of one child, living—Ida A., wife of R. B. Organ, the live-stock agent of the Nickel Plate Railroad, now a resident of Chicago. Mr. Organ claims to have been the first white child born in the town of Washington, Iowa. When Mr. Hall came to Washington, there were but a few scattering houses in the place and the county was comparatively unsettled. He has lived to witness a complete change in both county and city.
 REV. BENJAMIN EICHER is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Marion Township. He was born in Alsace, then a part of France, in 1832, and is the son of John and Margaret (Conrad) Eicher, the former a native of Alsace, and the latter of Switzerland. When seventeen years of age, the subject of this sketch came to America and first settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where he remained four years working on a farm. In 1853, just after reaching his majority, he came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled in Marion Township, where he still continues to live, but to which he has added by subsequent purchase, until he now owns a fine farm of 150 acres, all of which is under cultivation, and on which is a fine residence, erected at a cost of $3,000. In 1881 Mr. Eicher built the Oak Ridge Creamery on his farm, annually making from 80,000 to 120,000 pounds of butter.
In the fall of 1855, Mr. Eicher was united in marriage with Lydia Sommer, a native of Holmes County, Ohio, and the daughter of Joseph Sommer. To them thirteen children have been born. Elizabeth, the wife of G. C. Noble, a farmer of Crete, Neb.; Henry, junior member of the firm of Dewey & Eicher, attorneys at law, Washington, Iowa; Frank died in 1878, at the age of nineteen years; Joseph and John, now residing in Keokuk County, Iowa, owners of, and operating the Richmond Creamery; Ezra, Noah, Willie, David, Selina, Clara; Cora died at the age of two and a half years; and Eddie.
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In 1862 Mr. Eicher was ordained as an Elder in the Mennonite Church, since which time, in connection with the labors of his farm, he has labored in word and doctrine. The Church to which he ministers is situated near his house, and has a membership of about 100. The educational advantages of Mr. Eicher were in his youth quite limited, all his school days being prior to his fourteenth year. Since attaining his majority, be reading and private study, he has become well informed in general literature, history, biography and theology. His father was a farmer, and died in 1861; his mother died in 1860. They were also members of the Mennonite Church.
Mr. Eicher is truly a self-made man, and can truthfully say that what he has acquired through his own exertions, with such assistance as could be rendered by his family. When he landed in America he was in debt $40 for his passage. For his first year's work he was to receive $72, but on account of faithful service, he was presented with two suits of clothing extra. He is a good farmer, and an excellent business manager, and is regarded as one of the most enterprising men in Marion Township. In his political views he is quite liberal, voting as he thinks best, and giving every other man the privilege to do the same. He has held various township offices from time to time. As a citizen, he is well and favorably known throughout the county, and as a disciple of Christ and minister of the Gospel, he exemplifies in his daily life the teachings of the Son of Man.
It is with pleasure we present the portrait of Mr. Eicher, which will be found in connection with this sketch.
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