Biographical Note

The first members of the Ton family to settle in the Calumet area were Mr. and Mrs. John Ton, who came from Holland in the fall of 1849. Along with other members of a colony of Dutch immigrants, they founded the area known today as Roseland.

The Tons established themselves as farmers, and soon began to prosper. They had nine children, all married and living throughout the area. By 1891, six brothers and sisters had come from Holland at John Ton's suggestion. Each also had very large families, and settled in Roseland and the surrounding areas. Though many stayed in the area, others soon left for places as far away as the East and West coasts.

The first reunion of this very large family was held in 1896, and it was soon decided that it would become an annual event. By 1911, due to the large number of members, the family decided to incorporate. Their objectives were to bring the members into a closer union, and to make the reunions a permanent and pleasing feature of the family. Officers were elected yearly at the annual reunion, and a set of by-laws were established.

In 1945, the family celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. By now, the Tons had become one of the largest families in the country, with a membership of over 1500. Reporters and photographers from Life magazine were present to record the event, and gave the family national recognition.

In 1954, due to a lack of interest among the younger family members, and the inability of the older ones to attend, the family voted to make their 60th reunion their last. The papers of the Ton Family found in this small collection reflect their long and active role in the community as well as their close relationship as a family.

Scope and Content

Series I: Biographical and Personal Papers, 1865-1964.
This small series of five files includes biographical sketches, a school certificate of good conduct, correspondence and related personal material of the family. The files are arranged in alphabetical order by subject.

Series II: Annual Reunion, 1896-1955.
The material in this series focuses on the family as a whole and includes such items as by-laws, correspondence, newsclippings and programs. The files are arranged alphabetically by type of material.

Non-manuscript material:
Approximately 22 photographs have been removed from the manuscript material and listed in the Audio-Visual Collection of the Calumet Region Historical Collection, Appendix B. This was done for preservation purposes as well as to show the close relationship the family had with other pioneers of the area and the growth of the community.

Disposed Records:
Duplicates and xerox copies have been returned to the Pullman Branch Library.

Provenance

The material comprising the Ton Family Papers was transferred to the custody of the Pioneer Society of the Calumet Region, whose headquarters are in the Pullman Branch of the Chicago Public Library in 1955, in accordance with an amendment passed by the family at the business meeting held at their 60th annual reunion. The papers were processed and reopened for research in the Fall of 1982, as part of a local history grant received from the Dr. Scholl Foundation.

Access

The Ton Family Papers are available to the public for research in the Special Collections and Preservation Division Reading Room on the 9th floor of the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60605. The collection does not circulate, although photocopy and photoreproduction services are available depending upon the condition of the original materials. First time patrons to Special Collections must present photo identification and complete a Reader Registration Form. Telephone inquiries on this collection and other Special Collections holdings can be directed to 312-747-4875.

Box and Folder Inventory

BOX 1

Series I: Biographical and Personal Papers, 1865-1964.
1. Biographical Sketches, ca. 1920, 1932, 1958, n.d.
2. Certificate, school, 1871.
3. Correspondence, 1956.
4. Genealogy of, ca. 1964
5. Residences: drawings of, 1865; newsclip on, 1939.

Series II: Annual Reunion, 1896-1955.
6. By-laws, n.d.
7. Correspondence, 1956.
8. Invitations, 1900, 1912.
9. Memorial booklet and notices, 1915, 1955.
10. Minutes of meetings, excerpts from, 1953.
11. Newsclippings, 1918, 1939, 1940’s.
12. Programs, 1896-1906.
13. Programs, 1907-1915.
14. Programs, 1916-1923.
15. Programs, 1924-1932.
16. Programs, 1933-1942.
17. Programs, 1943-1948.
18. Programs, 1949-1955.

Supplement
19. Vis Family genealogy (photocopy); 1903.