Otho Robards Singleton (October 14, 1814 – January 11, 1889) was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi and a member of the Confederate States Congress during the American Civil War.

Biography

Born near Nicholasville, Kentucky, he was the son of Lewis Singleton, a hemp manufacturer who owned a factory near Keene, Kentucky. Lewis's father, and Otho's grandfather, was Louis Singleton, a Jessamine County sheriff and Kentucky state senator. Singleton attended the common schools. He graduated from St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, Kentucky, and from the law department of the University of Lexington. He was admitted to the bar in 1838 and commenced practice in Canton, Mississippi. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1846 and 1847. He served in the State senate 1848–1854.

Congress

Singleton was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. Singleton was elected to the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Congresses and served from March 4, 1857, until January 12, 1861, when he withdrew.

Confederate Congress

He served as a representative from Mississippi in the First Confederate Congress and Second Confederate Congress from 1861 to 1865.

Return to U.S. Congress

Singleton was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1887). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1886.

Death and burial

He died in Washington, D.C., January 11, 1889. He was interred in Canton Cemetery, Canton, Mississippi.

Personal life

Singleton married; his wife predeceased him. His son, Dr. Richard H. Singleton (born May 9, 1844) was a prominent doctor in Louisville, Kentucky, and a member of the Indiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi medical societies. His daughter, Kate, married Junius M. Smith and lived in North Carolina.