Obituaries (December 18)

Alexander Totman

Utica Saturday Globe, February 1903

Alexander Totman

1836-1903

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Alexander Totman, a prominent resident and real estate dealer of this village, died in St. Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse [Onondaga Co., NY], on Tuesday evening last.  About 10 days before he went to the hospital for an operation, to which he submitted, and the shock proved too great.  Mr. Totman was born in Freetown, Cortland county, April 1, 1836.  He was the son of Edsell and Maria Maydole Totman.  In 1859 his parents moved to Pharsalia, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Ellen Crandall, daughter of Albah Crandall, immediately after which he came to this village and found employment in the Maydole Hammer factory, of which his uncle was the founder and where he remained for 30 years.  He started in an humble position and worked his way up until he was superintendent of the works when he resigned about 10 years ago, and had since engaged exclusively in the real estate business, in which he had been extensively interested for several years.  He was an excellent citizen and lived a useful though quiet and unostentatious life.  Less than a year ago he was bereaved by the loss of his wife, in April, 1902.  An only child died in infancy.  Five brothers and two sisters survive:  Rev. A.N. Totman, of Benson, Neb.; Darwin Totman, of Cortland; Edsell Totman, of Creston, Ia.; Dr. David M. Totman, of Syracuse; Adelbert Totman, of Waterville; Mrs. Alonzo Blackman of Norwich, and Mrs. Emery Bowdish, of Cortland. Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, Rev. Wilson Treible officiating. Burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY].

Morning Sun, Norwich, NY, February 26, 1903

At St. Joseph's hospital, in Syracuse, Alexander Totman, a prominent resident of this town [Norwich, NY], died at 8 o'clock Tuesday evening.  About two weeks ago, he left here for Syracuse to enter the hospital for treatment.  He underwent an operation, but had not the strength and vitality to rally.  He had been afflicted with the disease, for which he was operated upon, for some six years.  The news of his death came with shocking suddenness to his fellow townsmen, for very few knew of his actual condition.  His business activity had been so great even up to the time he left for Syracuse, that few suspected that he was other than strong and vigorous.  His remains were brought here yesterday and taken to his fine residence on West Hill.

Alexander Totman was born in Freetown, Cortland county, April 1, 1836, and was the son of Edsel Totman and Moriah Maydole Totman.  In 1850 his parents moved to Pharsalia.  His youth and early manhood were spent upon his father's farm.  In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Crandall, daughter of Alvah Crandall, of Pharsalia.

Immediately following his marriage, the young couple came to Norwich, and Alexander, or "Alex" as he was more familiarly and universally known, obtained employment in the Hammer factory of his uncle, David Maydole.  He began his career in the factory at the foundation and worked himself up through every department until he knew how to make a hammer, that would bear the test and critical inspection of his uncle, David's, experienced eye.  So faithful was he in the performance of every duty and in his zeal, that from 1872 to 1880, it is recorded of him that he never missed a day from the factory.  He was gradually advanced until he became superintendent, which position he held for seven years and until he resigned in 1892 to engage in the real estate business.

At the time of the sale of the Guernsey property, in the later '70s, he made quite large purchases of land, especially of what was known as the West hill tract.  this he plotted into lots and was very successful in disposing of the same. He also about this time built the large and iimposing brick house which he occupied as a home until his death.  Upon retiring from his position of superintendent of the hammer factory, he devoted his entire time to the management of his own real estate and of that of his numerous clients.  How successful he was as seller of real estate, the files of the Sun for the last few years amply testify.

His wife died April 7, 1902, and their only child died in infancy.  He is survived by five brothers, Dr. David M. Totman of Syracuse, Rev. A.M. Totman of Bennin, Neb., who was for several years the pastor of the Free Baptist Church of this place, A.R. Totman of Waterville, N.Y., E.S. Totman of Cortland; also two sisters, Mrs. C.E. Bowdish of Cortland, and Mrs. Alonzo Blackman of Norwich.

Alexander Totman was a model citizen.  Honest, upright, kind-hearted, modest, retiring, thinking no ill and doing no wrong, diligent in his own business and in that entrusted to him, reliable in every position to which he was called, he leaves behind him an honorable record and a career which every young person in our midst would do well to emulate and try to copy.  His funeral will be attended from his late residence, this, Thursday, afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Wilson Treible of the M.E. church, of which Mr. Totman was a constant attendant, officiating.  Interment in the family plot in Mt. Hope.

Ellen Crandall Totman

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, April 9, 1902

Ellen Crandall, wife of Alexander Totman of this village [Chenango Co., NY], died at her residence on West Main street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] early Saturday morning, April 5, 1902, aged 58 years.  She had been in poor health for some time, her ambitious disposition and energetic nature, however, sustaining her well toward the end of life.  Deceased was born in Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], July 6, 1843, and was the youngest child of Alvah and Abigail Crandall, sturdy and respected people.  In November 1862, she was married to Alexander Totman and came to Norwich the following March to reside.  One child, a son, Frank, was born of this union February 28, 1864, who died, however, seven months afterward.  Mrs. Totman was a very active, ambitious woman in her earlier years. She took great interest in whatsoever appealed to her as worthy of effort.  She became an active member of the Broad Street Methodist church, where she will be greatly missed.  she was also much interested in her home and family.  She was a good wife and a good neighbor and had a great many friends.

Elmer E. Singer

Chenango American, Greene, NY, July 26, 1894

The body of Elmer E. Singer, of Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] was found in the Whitney woods near the city, Tuesday night of last week.  He was a cigar maker by trade, but had been out of work for some time, having last been acting as collector for an insurance company.  It is thought he took morphine to deaden the pain of a headache and this caused his death.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, July 18, 1894

Binghamton, N.Y.:  The dead and badly decomposed body of Elmer E. Singer, an insurance collector, living on Chestnut street, this city, was found in Whitney's woods near the outskirts of the city this afternoon.  The body was so badly decomposed as to be unrecognizable, but papers in the pockets proved the man's identity.  He disappeared from his home one week ago.  The cause of death is unknown, but it is thought to be either suicide or the result of excessive drinking.  He was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company.  Coroner Hills will investigate.

Mrs. L.C. Pollard

 Bainbridge Republican, February 17, 1888

Mrs. L.C. Pollard died in this village [Afton, Chenango Co., NY] last Wednesday morning, aged 78 years.  Mrs. Pollard had been a resident of Afton for many years, until about two years ago, when she went to Binghamton to reside with her daughter Mrs. L.S.  Nye, and was spending the winter at her old home in this place, where she had lived for 50 years, when she was called home. The funeral was held Friday and the remains were deposited in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY] -- Afton Enterprise.