Tone (John Henley) Family Collection, 1900-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Alice Tone Gibbons' papers consist of her published writings. The Theodosia Benjamin papers consist of theater programs, business papers and school books relating to the Benjamin family and the transcript of an interview with Theodosia Benjamin by retired University of the Pacific faculty, Jerry Briscoe (1995). The Tone/Donnolly Family papers consist of biographical materials on John Henley Tone and his descendants; Tone and Donnolly Family schoolwork, scrapbooks, correspondence and business papers; general materials on San Joaquin County (Calif.) and on the Catholic Church in San Joaquin County.

Biographical / historical:

John Henley Tone (1826-1902) was one of the earliest settlers of San Joaquin County (Calif.). He came overland to California (1849) and within a year had settled on the farm site still occupied by his descendants. Tone farmed wheat, barley and livestock. In 1855 Tone married Alice Walsh (1838-1924) who bore him eight children, of whom seven survived into the twentieth century. The six Tone daughters became Mrs. John T. [Mary] Doyle, Mrs. S.M. [Margaret] Storer of San Pedro, Mrs. F.B. [Catherine]Cluff of New York, Mrs. R.J. [Ella] Benjamin, Mrs. H.J. [Anna] Condit of Stanislaus County (Calif.) and Miss Alice Tone. John Nicholas Tone (1866- ) was the sole male offspring.

John N. Tone, who inherited the family lands, married (1904) Grace Talbot (1873- ). They had six children: Margaret, Alice, John, Mary, Richard and Theodore. Their son, John Harold Tone (1909- ) and his wife Marjory, presently raise Arabian horses on the Jack Tone Ranch.

Alice Tone Gibbons (1906- ), second child of John N. and Grace Talbot Tone, was a long-time amateur historian who published articles on various San Joaquin County topics in the local press. Her most important work was My Pioneer Grandfather, John Henley Tone (1974).

Mary Gene Tone Kerr (1912-1940), fourth child of John Nicholas Tone, was a nurse living in San Francisco. She is represented in this collection by a childhood scrapbook.

Theodosia Benjamin (1905- ), a daughter of R.J. and Ella Tone Benjamin, graduated from St. Agnes College High School, Stockton (1923), then studied art at the University of California, later supporting herself as a secretary in the County Counsel's office for twenty-three years, while painting and writing poetry. Her art work, chiefly representing local scenes, has been exhibited at several venues in San Joaquin County. Her puppet play, "The Gingersnap House," was performed in Sacramento (1971). She belonged to the American Association of University Women, the Stockton Pen Women, the Stockton Art League, the Sierra Club and the Women's Auxiliary of the San Joaquin Pioneers Society.

Margaret Donnolly Tone (1907- ), graduated from St. Agnes College High School (1925). She was the wife of Richard Tone, a son of John N. Tone. Her brother, William Donnolly, apparently attended the same school between 1924 and 1930. Donnolly's wife's name was Mary. His father, also William Donnolly, acquired land in San Joaquin County in 1910.

Physical description:
6 linear ft.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95241, US
Contact:
(209) 331-2055
info@sanjoaquinhistory.org
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