Singmaster, a Pennsylvania native, moved to Keokuk County with his parents in 1843 and settled near Talleyrand, south of Keota.

[2] They also had large land holdings in Iowa and Nebraska where they also raised hogs and beef cattle, and were involved in local banks as well.

At one time Maplehurst Ranch included three mansions, several horse barns, out buildings, stables, and cottages for workers.

It remained in the family until 1968 when it was sold to Dr. R.A. Carmichael who established the first bovine embryo transfer facility in the United States on the property.

This article about a property in Keokuk County, Iowa on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.