BIO: Edgar B. Singer, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, page 401.
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  Singer, Edgar Benton, was born on January 25, 1866, in White Haven, 
Pa. His father was a lumberman, and therefore lived in rural districts. 
The schools were not very efficient, being ungraded. Such education as 
could be had he secured in these schools. In his boyhood he became 
accustomed to farm work and knew how to draw a saw or swing an ax in 
the woods. When the family was living at Riffletown, Pa., he was at 
home and helping in cleaning up a farm. His heart was tender and 
sensitive to spiritual influences. His father gave him excellent 
counsel. He frequently petitioned God to lead him into light that he 
might become right. At this time he felt that he was to do work for 
God. But the way did not open for him to make any expression on the 
subject. Several times he resolved to be a Christian but his ardor 
cooled. He wandered from God, and the thought that he would preach 
seemed never to be realized, a boyish fancy. The sickness and death of 
a brother profoundly moved him. About this time, or soon after, a 
revival was held in the schoolhouse near his home. This was in 1886. He 
repented of his sins, presented himself at the altar, and was 
converted. The thought then occurred to him, "Now I can preach." He 
struggled nearly a year with this convictions. His father encouraged 
him.
  On November 26, 1887, the Quarterly Conference of Schloyerville 
charge, in the Central Pennsylvania Conference, gave him a local 
preacher's license. Feeling his need of an education, he worked during 
the summer of 1888 and earned enough to enter Wyoming Seminary in the 
fall. He spent four years here preparing for college. During two years 
of his work in the seminary he acted as supply pastor - a year and 
three months at Glen Lyon, and nine months at West Nanticoke. He 
graduated from Wesleyan University in 1897 with the degree of Ph.B., 
doing supply work two years during the course. The same year he joined 
Wyoming Conference, securing deacon's orders at the same session of 
Conference.
  His pastoral record is as follows: 1897, Noxen; 1898-1900, 
Middlefield; 1901-02, assistant, Elm Park, Scranton; 1903, Great Bend.