James' obituaries

James had an amazing number of obituaries, posted in newspapers from coast to coast.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Troy Daily Whig- Tuesday, Dec. 13, 1859:
James A. Zander, Esq., a very old citizen, died on Sunday, aged 80 years. He filled many offices of trust, and became a captain of military in 1812; afterwards collector of taxes and city commissioner, in which capacity he issued the "shin plasters" in 1837. He was a truly good man.

New York Times, Dec. 16, 1859, p.10:
OBITUARY.
James A. Zander, for many years City Commissioner and Tax Collector in Troy, died in that city on Sunday. He had the entire supervision of the issue of shinplasters in Troy in the years 1837-8, and was a preminent member of the Mechanics' Humane Association, an institution that was the germ of the Young Men's Christian Association. He was familiarly known by the soubriquet of "Total Depravity Zander," a title which was borrowed from a toast which he gave at a Fourth of July dinner in 1834, declaring that Jackson's first election proved the downward tendency of the American people, the second their total depravity.

Stockton Daily Argus, Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA, Monday, 6 Feb 1860:
DIED -- at Troy, N.Y., December 11th, Mr. James A. ZANDER, aged 80 years.
DEATH of a WORTHY CITIZEN -- Under our obituary head will be found a record of the death of James A. ZANDER, one of the oldest residents of Troy, N.Y., and father of Dr. T.P. ZANDER, of this city. During his lifetime he held, as we are informed by the Troy 'Daily Times,' many important offices of trust, and enjoyed the fullest confidence of the community in which he resided.
He was a native of Huntington, Conn., whence he removed to Troy in 1802, where he held for a number of years the office of City Commissioner. Mr. ZANDER was a man of remarkable observation and study, and was thoroughly acquainted with the political and historical events of the day. He died deeply regretted by his fellow citizens, among whom he had performed an active and prominent part in life; and to his efforts many of the charitable and humane institutions of the city are indebted for their present eminent standing.