Thanks to all you cousins who have had your hearts moved and your imaginations sparked by John Toone. I discovered John Toone largely because of my wife Daniele who is a convert to the church. Growing up LDS I had much of my genealogy handed to me, but wife is the only member in her family. The sweet experiences of being baptized for her father and grandfather--people she knew and loved dearly, really opened my eyes to the link that the living have with their progenitors. At the time I was just starting a degree in cello performance and remembered a little packet of information on John Toone I had seen in my father's records while visiting home. Little did I know that day how much my life would be impacted by John Toone. By a miraculous sequence of events his cello was between my legs by the end of that day.
Because of the generosity of the cello's owners, I have been able to perform inspiring music on his instrument for the past several years. There are very few things we do today as our ancestors did them 150 years, we don't travel, get medical care, work, play, or even communicate in the same way. John Toone probably never imagined that his cello could be heard anywhere in the world by clicking a link on a computer. Despite all the advancements of science and technology the world has seen since the 1850's, playing the cello is the same today as it was then, and if you close your eyes and listen there's a very, very thin veil between him and us.
I hope the whole family can enjoy the music, events, and histories shared here. Together we honor those who came before and pass along a wonderful legacy to those who will follow. Long after we are all gone, with any luck, the Toone cello will still play the beautiful music of the restoration and in a way we then all become part of his ongoing story.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Portrait of John Toone
We are very fortunate to have Julie Rogers working on a portrait of John Toone. The portrait will feature John playing his cello.
Ms. Rogers is a noted painter of pioneer art. Ms. Rogers' work has been selected for numerous private collections and has received many awards, including first place at the 2003 Dixie International Art Show. Her work has been included in many regional and international exhibits: 2003 International Church Show; Purchasers Award National Birds of Prey; First and Second place; at the ASCA International art show; and first place at the 2004 Dixie International Purchaser Awards.
You can visit her website at: http://julierogersart.com/joomla/
Ms. Rogers is a noted painter of pioneer art. Ms. Rogers' work has been selected for numerous private collections and has received many awards, including first place at the 2003 Dixie International Art Show. Her work has been included in many regional and international exhibits: 2003 International Church Show; Purchasers Award National Birds of Prey; First and Second place; at the ASCA International art show; and first place at the 2004 Dixie International Purchaser Awards.
You can visit her website at: http://julierogersart.com/joomla/
Monday, May 5, 2008
Physical Description of John Toone
The following description of John Toone was recorded by his granddaughter Dora Toone Brough:
He was tall and had an abundance of curly, snowy white hair and a long white beard. He used a walking stick and his little white dog, Tiny, always accompanied him when he visited. He talked about interesting things, places, and people, and sang songs while the smaller children sat and listened intently. He was a grand old man.
He was tall and had an abundance of curly, snowy white hair and a long white beard. He used a walking stick and his little white dog, Tiny, always accompanied him when he visited. He talked about interesting things, places, and people, and sang songs while the smaller children sat and listened intently. He was a grand old man.
John Toone
Who is John Toone?
John Toone was born on 10 April 1813 in Birmingham, England to John Toone and Elizabeth Masters.
On 12 June 1936 at Leamington, John married Emma Prosser, daughter of James and Mary Ann Morgan.
John and Emma joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1849. In the early winter of 1851, they set sail for American with their young family and arrived in March 1851.
They made preparations to come to Utah and left Pattawattamie on 7 Jun 1852 In Captain Thomas Howell's company and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 27 Sep 1852.
John and Emma lived in the 20th ward around D Street and 2nd Ave in Salt Lake City.
John played the cello in the first orchestra of the Salt Lake Theater. He played in dance orchestras in the old Social Hall. He performed with Mineer's band.
John was called on a mission to England in 1854 and was able to stay with his parents during that time. While on his mission, he met an English school teacher named Hannah Wardle. On his return trip with the Martin Handcart Company, he met Jemima Cook. Upon returning to Utah, he married Hannah on 1 Feb 1857, and Jemima on 27 Feb 1857.
When Johnson's Army came to Utah in 1857, John and his three wives moved to Payson, Utah. It was a very trying time for the Toone family. Emma's two-month-old son, Benjamin Prosser Toone, died 23 July 1858. His second wife, Hannah, gave birth to premature twin babies and she and both the babies died on 20 July 1858. After the army trouble, the Toone family moved back to Salt Lake.
In 1876, John was called to Morgan County to help pioneer that part of Utah. He and Jemima moved to Croydon, Morgon County, Utah. His wife Emma remained in Salt Lake City until her death on 7 April 1889.
John Toone died on 31 Aug 1893 at the age of 80 years. He was the father of 17 children and 91 great-grandchildren.
(Borrowed from the life sketch of John Toone, written by his granddaughter, Dora Toone Brough on 22 Aug 1953)
John Toone was born on 10 April 1813 in Birmingham, England to John Toone and Elizabeth Masters.
On 12 June 1936 at Leamington, John married Emma Prosser, daughter of James and Mary Ann Morgan.
John and Emma joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1849. In the early winter of 1851, they set sail for American with their young family and arrived in March 1851.
They made preparations to come to Utah and left Pattawattamie on 7 Jun 1852 In Captain Thomas Howell's company and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 27 Sep 1852.
John and Emma lived in the 20th ward around D Street and 2nd Ave in Salt Lake City.
John played the cello in the first orchestra of the Salt Lake Theater. He played in dance orchestras in the old Social Hall. He performed with Mineer's band.
John was called on a mission to England in 1854 and was able to stay with his parents during that time. While on his mission, he met an English school teacher named Hannah Wardle. On his return trip with the Martin Handcart Company, he met Jemima Cook. Upon returning to Utah, he married Hannah on 1 Feb 1857, and Jemima on 27 Feb 1857.
When Johnson's Army came to Utah in 1857, John and his three wives moved to Payson, Utah. It was a very trying time for the Toone family. Emma's two-month-old son, Benjamin Prosser Toone, died 23 July 1858. His second wife, Hannah, gave birth to premature twin babies and she and both the babies died on 20 July 1858. After the army trouble, the Toone family moved back to Salt Lake.
In 1876, John was called to Morgan County to help pioneer that part of Utah. He and Jemima moved to Croydon, Morgon County, Utah. His wife Emma remained in Salt Lake City until her death on 7 April 1889.
John Toone died on 31 Aug 1893 at the age of 80 years. He was the father of 17 children and 91 great-grandchildren.
(Borrowed from the life sketch of John Toone, written by his granddaughter, Dora Toone Brough on 22 Aug 1953)
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