John J. Toner

     John J. Toner was born on 28 December 1814 at Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.¹ He was the son of Edward Toner and Susannah Updegraff. John J. Toner first married, at age 22, Nancy J. Parker on Thursday, 9 March 1837 at Hancock County, Indiana.¹ John J. Toner married a second time, at age 42, Jeannette Thayer, daughter of Spencer Thayer and Sallie Butler, on Sunday, 3 May 1857 at Marion Township, Shelby County, Indiana.¹ John J. Toner died on 29 August 1899 at Shelby County, Indiana, at age 84 years, 8 months and 1 day.
     He was one of the most enterprising and wealthy farmers in Shelby County, near Shelbyville, Indiana. He belonged to the National Greenback Party, formerly a Republician. He engaged in farming and also traded in live stock in 1880.²

A brief account for John has been found in the "History of Shelby County, Indiana." Originally published in 1887, Brant & Fuller publishers helped to ensured that this bit of history would be saved for his descendants. The following account was found on p. 665:

     JOHN TONER, a native of Lycoming County, Pa., where he was born December 28, 1814, being the next eldest in a family of twelve children born to Edward and Susanna (Updegraff) Toner, who were also nativeof Pennsylvania, the former of Irish, and the latter of German descent. In 1815, they emigrated to Indiana, settling on White Water, in Franklin County, where they lived exactly seventeen years, when in 1832, they came to Shelby County, locating in Hendricks Township, about one mile from our subject's present place of residence. They remained here and made this county their home until their death. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. John remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-two years. He received a common school education such as was to be obtained in the primitive log school-houses of those days. March 9, 1837, his marriage with Nancy J. Parker was solemnized, and to their union eight children were born, of whom these four are now living: James E., who married Sophia Salla; Mattie, now Mrs. William H. Miller; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. J. H. Sanford, and Belle, now Mrs. George Williams. June 14, 1856, Mr. Toner suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. May 3, 1857, his and Janette Thayer's nuptials were celebrated and their union has been blessed with these four children: John S., whose wife was Cad Hester, Caress L., Harry M. and Elmer S. Mr. Toner has always made farming his occupation, in connection with which he has always dealt in stock quite extensively and he has been very successful. He now owns 900 acres of well improved land. He and family are members of the Christian Church. In politics he affiliates with the National Greenback party. The Updegraff family preceded the Toner family a number of years, coming in 1821.³