Singleton E. Remsburg

From History of Frederick County. p. 1174:

Singleton E. Remsburg, a prominent and well known farmer, who resides three miles southwest of Middletown, was born November 3, 1843. He is a son of Samuel and Maria (Bowlus) Remsburg, members of an old Middletown district family (see sketch of Henry C. Remsburg and the Remsburg History).

Samuel Remsburg was born in 1807, and died in 1880. He followed the occupation of a farmer during the period of his active life and was well known as a successful agriculturist. In, politics he was in early life an Old Line Whig, but upon the formation of the Republican party, he became an adherent of the latter organization. In religion, he was a consistent member of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Middletown. He was married to Maria Bowlus. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity: Charlotte, married William Slifer, of Washington County, Md.; Mary Susan, married Henry Young; Elizabeth, married Dawson Huffer, a farmer of Burkittsville District, Frederick County; Amanda, the wife of David Ausherman, of Burkittsville District, who is engaged in farming and a teacher; Singleton E.; and Emma, the wife of John Stone, of Middletown.

Singleton E. Remsburg, son of Samuel and Maria (Bowlus) Remsburg, was born and reared on his father’s farm, on which he became well versed in the duties of agriculture. He was educated in the public schools and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He is the owner of the old home farm, which contains 164 acres and is well improved with good buildings. This is one of the most productive farms in Middletown Valley. He is also the owner of two other farms, one of 60 acres and one of 14 acres, both of which are also well improved and under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Remsburg has been very successful at farming and by the use of practical and progressive methods his farms annually yield large crops. He is a director in the Valley Savings Bank of Middletown, a flourishing financial institution.

In politics, he has been one of the leaders and most active supporters of the Republican party in his district for the past thirty years. In 1897, he was the nominee of his party for the office of county commissioner, and was elected. He served in this position for a term of four years, discharging his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon him. Mr. Remsburg is one of Middletown’s best known and highly respected citizens. In religion, he is a leading spirit and consistent member of Zion’s Lutheran Church of Middletown, in which he has served in official capacities, including the office of elder.

Mr. Remsburg was married, November 10, 1864, to Frances Shafer, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Abrecht) Shafer, of Middletown Valley. They were the parents of eight children, of whom seven grew to maturity: Jennie, deceased, was the wife of Oliver Beachley; Hiram, married Emma Young; Amos, married Hannah Sigler; Elizabeth, the wife of Philip E. Flook; Joseph, married Estella Dean; Emma, the wife of Laurence Rudy; and Maria Catharine, resides at home.

The Shafer family, to which Mrs. Remsburg belongs, is of German origin and is one of the old families of Middletown Valley. Peter Shafer was a son of George Shafer. Peter Shafer and his wife, Elizabeth Abrecht, were the parents of two children: George; and Frances E., (Mrs. Remsburg.) After the death of Mr. Shafer, his widow married his brother, Joseph Shafer. The latter marriage had four children: Laura, the wife of Joshua Ahalt (see his sketch) ; Mary, married Joseph Huffer, a farmer, who resides in Jefferson District; Ida, the wife of Charles Adkins, of Middletown district; and ———.