Hon. W. Toman, 1825 – 1900

TOMAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/3/2022 at 18:04:02

Source: Decorah Republican Dec. 27, 1900 P 2 C 3

Death of a Veteran Editor.
The Independence Bulletin Journal announces the death on the 19th inst. of Hon. Willian{?} Toman, formerly, and for a quarter of a century, the editor of the Bulletin, Mr. Toman’s connection with the press began early in the sixties, when, after filling a term as county judge of Mitchell county, he purchased the Osage Press and commenced a career which was honorable to himself and creditable to newspaperdom in the state of Iowa. In 1869, he removed to Independence and purchased the Bulletin. In 1874 he was made postmaster at Independence and held the position for nine years or until 1883. Our acquaintance with him began in 1867 and became an enduring friendship which lasted until 1891 when a stroke of appoploxy came to him. Since that time his life has been a blank and he a charge upon his children that, we are told by the B. J. was a duty they performed with fidelity and unremitting attention.
In l892-3 he sold his interest in the Bulletin, and, not being accustomed to idleness, secured a newspaper property at Cherokee. But he had scarcely got his new home warmed ere the strike came which closed his career, although the final release has but just come.
Besides being a fluent, easy writer of excellent English, Judge Toman was a man of sturdy independence and rigid honesty. In his active years he was a cotemporary with Matt Parrott, H. L. Rann, J. W. Shannon and other old timers in this district. Once at an editorial association for this corner of Iowa, his paper was selected for criticism as the model newspaper of the district, and the choice was heartily ratified by those present at that meeting. In the state at large, we can name not more than half a dozen who were his associates in those early days.
Mr. Toman was of Scotch-Irish parentage, born in Pennsylvania in 1826, and in early life, by profession, was a scenic and ornamental painter. Two sons and two daughters survive him.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows his gravestone in Oakwood Cemetery as being born Nov. 24, 1825 – the first name is not shown – merely shows Father. I think the name of Willian is probably a typo.