Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-18
FAIRFIELD.
Frank M. Totman.

| 'O--e,
resident of this town, died of heart
failure at 5 o'clock Thursday morning,
AT his home on Island street. Mr.. Tot
man had been in failing health for the
past year, but OF late, had been some
what improved in health and it was not
| thought that he was seriously i'll until
| q few days ago, when he was Obliged
| to take his bed, and Wednesday, it
was feared that he could not recover.
Mr.. Totman Yves born in Fairfield,
| Aug. 10, 1S43, and with the exception OF
| a very few years, had always lived
here. He was the son OF Nahum and
Susan Totman, one OF the pioneer fam
| lilies Of the town, name which has
been connected with the place for more
than half century. He received his
early education in the schools of the
place. and later went to Oak Grove
Seminary, where he was graduated.
After he had finished his school work,
! he worked for awhile for his father,
| Nahum Totinan, who was then oper-
ating a saw mill here. He only remain
| ed with his father a short time, when
| he went into business for himself, in
the hardware line, leasing n store in
| tflc BlOCh WHICH otooo thC iob-
man block, now occupied by A. Fl. Tot
man, the hardware dealer, is located.
Andrew ri. Buck, who now lives in
! Hartland, formed q partnership with
Mr.. Totman, and the firm did good
business.
Later on, Mr.. Totman sold out his in
| tereSt in the hardware business and
accepted a position as surveyor for the
Berlin Mills Co, at Portland. He re-
manned there for about two years,
where he served the company in very
competent and satisfactory manner In
1873, ne returned to this town and with
his father Nahum Totman and his
brother, Llewellyn p. Totman, q part
nership was formed, in the lumber bus
mess which before had been carried on
by his father. This firm continued
until 1890, and conducted a very large
and successful business. This was in
the days when the lumber business was
considered the business of the times,
and lumber from here was sent to all
parts of the United States. In 1890, the
partnership was dissolved, and F. M.
Totman and brother, w. H. Totman
took the business. N. Totman and son.
l.. p, retiring. The business was con-
tinued by these two brothers until 1900,
when the mill and its privilege was
sold to the Watervlle & Fairfield
Electric Railway & Light Co.. Since
that time f. NJ. Totman had conducted
a retail lumber business.
Mr.. TotmGn served the town of
chairman of the board OF seectmen for
number of years, and after retiring
from that position was frequently urg-
ed TO again take upon himself the same
responsibilities. He was Mason, ana
a member Of Silaom Lodge, No. go, L.
and 4. M Tn politics, he was q Re-
publican, and always stood by his
party's principles, remaining unmoved
by opposition or any discoura gements
which might come He was also a
Staunch Universalist, and was a con-
slant attendant at the Universalist
church. In 1898, he acted as director
in the Kennebec Log Driving Co He
was Il great reader well Informed upon
every subject, and considered by all
with whom he did business to be one
Of the snartest business men which
Fairfield possessed
Mr.. Totman was a generous hearted
man, always ready TO help everyone
who came to him for aid. He was wide
~ known throughout the State, having
transacted much business with lum-
bermen all through Maine. He will be
much missed, not only in his family,
where he has always been very indul-
gent and kind, but by all who are ac-
CuStomed to meet With him outside of
his home, for whom he always had a
kind word. In matters of business. he
was always considered strictly honest.
and his word was always said to be as
good IS his bond
Mr.. Totnan was married about the
year 1864. to Miss Emma Judkins
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel judi
kins. and to this union eleven children
were born eight of whom, with a
widow. survive him. They are Howard
e.. of West Newton, Mass; Mrs. F.
II. Cushnan, Winslow; Henry F..
Frank Garfield, Arnold W., Gladys A..
ana Eloise T.. of this town, who live
at home. He is also survived by an
aged mother, to whom the shock of his
sudden death came with great force.
and nearly Frustrated her, also. three
brothers. l.. ?. Totman of Duluth.
Mimi, Everett Totman of Waltham.
Mass, and w. TT. Totman. The tuner
nj arrangements have not yet been
made, but will probably occur on Sun
day.