Montana Historical SocietyLibrary & Archives
MC
351
Toman, J. Fred
J. Fred and Rose Toman papers
1907-1975
6.0 linear feet
J. Fred Toman (1886-1975) was a Biddle, Montana, rancher and
legislator. Papers consist of family and other correspondence (1914-1975); diaries
(1907-1969); financial records, legal documents, subject files, writings, and
miscellany.
16:4-4
English
Biographical Note
J. Fred Toman was born in Utica, Nebraska, on March 21, 1886, the son of James R. and Mary
E. (Martinsdale) Toman. The senior Toman was a station agent on the Burlington railroad.
About 1891 the family moved to a homestead near Hazard, Nebraska. When Fred was 9, his
mother died and after several years living with his father, he was sent to Mother Jewel's
Home, an orphanage in York, Nebraska. He lived there three years. He then attended York
College and supported himself by doing odd jobs.
In 1906, Fred headed west to Torrington, Wyoming, where his sister lived, and worked on an
irrigation ditch construction job. When that job was completed he moved to Belle Fourche,
South Dakota, to do similar work. While there, in 1908, he bought his first diary and began
recording his life, an activity that became a lifelong passion.
Later that year he traveled to Montana and took up a homestead about 10 miles west of
Biddle, Montana. He proved up on the homestead in 1919, and spent the rest of his working
life there. He married Rose Marsh, daughter of George and Alice Marsh, also of Nebraska, in
1915. She proved up on an adjacent piece of land in 1921. In 1951 he hired a young immigrant
from Holland, Rinke B. Baukema (b. February 23, 1922). The following year Fred, Rose, and
Rinke formed a partnership, Toman and Baukema, to operate the ranch. Fred and Rose later
adopted Rinke. J. Fred Toman died July 12, 1975; his wife Rose died February 20, 1973; and
their adopted son Rinke Baukema died April 30, 1994.
Papers consist of family and other correspondence (1914-1975); diaries (1907-1969);
financial records, legal documents, subject files, writings, and miscellany.
The correspondence consists primarily of letters to Rose Toman from her parents George and
Alice Marsh, her sisters Nina Bostrom and Etta Hull, her brothers Murat and Walton Marsh,
and the siblings' children. There are also letters between Fred Toman and childhood friends
from Nebraska, business associates, and political figures. In addition, there is a letter
(1947) from F. H. Sinclair of Sheridan, Wyoming, concerning the origins of various Lakota
words and names; and a letter (1975) to Gene Gressley, University of Wyoming, concerning
Toman's father James R. Toman and his photography business.
The diaries for 1908-1916 are only typed transcripts. The remainder of the diaries
(1917-1975) are either handwritten originals, with typed transcripts, or typewritten
originals. There is also a typed transcript of James R. Toman's diaries (1907-1908,
1912)
There are financial accounts (1908-1974) for Toman's personal expenses and income; and for
the Toman and Baukema ranch business (1951-1965). These have been separated from the typed
transcripts and from the typed originals for ease of use. The handwritten diaries still
contain the accounts as Toman kept them in the back of each book.
There are legal documents including miscellaneous papers concerning Alice Marsh's estate
and Noah Walton Marsh's Estate (1930, 1949) and the sale of the Toman and Baukema Ranch
(1975). There are also subject files on a variety of topics; miscellany; and clippings.
Finally there are manuscripts of several articles and books written by Toman, including "My
Early Years in York, Nebraska" (1966, 1972); "A Nebraska Boy Goes West" (1957); "Powder
River Congregational Church : a History, the First 50 Years" (1969); "The Years Slip By"
(two undated versions); and numerous shorter pieces.
Arranged by series.
Collection open for research.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical
Society Library & Archives. The Library & Archives does not necessarily hold
copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require
additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an
archivist.
[item description and date]. Name of Collection. Collection Number. [box and folder
number]. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. Helena, Montana.
Acquisition information available upon request.
Processed in 2008; material added in 2009.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society
Library & Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics,
persons, or places should search under these terms.
Toman, J. Fred
Biddle (Mont.)--Biography
Powder River County
(Mont.)--Biography
Ranches--Montana--Powder River County
Montana
Ranching
Detailed Description of the Collection
Biographical Materials
1 / 1
Legislative biographical sketch, marriage license,
census information, list of published books, obituary, etc.
1915-1975
1 / 2
Genealogy of Martindale and Loucks families, compiled
by J. W. Unroe
1961
General Correspondence
1 / 3
Rev. E. Merle and Irma Adams (includes biographical
sketch of Rev. Adams)
1928-1971
1 / 4
Hans and Edith Anderson (Hazard, Neb.)
1958-1974
1 / 5
A (correspondents include John G. Allee, Gale
Anderson, I. J. Andrews, Steve Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Atchison)
1942-1973
1 / 6
Gov. Tim Babcock (includes letters re Donal
Butler)
1964-1968
1 / 7
Everett and Lois Balyeat
1968-1969
1 / 8
William R. "Roy" Bandy
1951-1967
1 / 9
Harry Clark Barber (includes biographical
sketch)
1941-1960
1 / 10
Kenneth and Pauline Barber
1941-1960
1 / 11
Robert and Amanda Barber and son Stanley
Barber
1938-1975
1 / 12
Oscar and Josephine Barfield
1964-1974
1 / 13
Larry and Janet Bartee
1968-1975
1 / 14
Walter and Phyllis Bauer
1964-1975
1 / 15
Rinke, Terri, and Toman Baukema (also her son Mike
Shannon by previous marriage)
1956-1975
1 / 16
Nina and Arvid Bostrom (Rose Toman's sister and
brother-in-law; some letters were written to her sister Etta Hull)
1929-1955
1 / 17-19
Marvin and Kay Bostrom (Rose Toman's nephew and
niece-in-law; some letters were written to his aunt Etta Hull)
1936-1974
1 / 17-19
Marvin and Kay Bostrom (Rose Toman's nephew and
niece-in-law; some letters were written to his aunt Etta Hull)
1936-1974
1 / 20
Dolly Rouse Bottens
1965-1967
1 / 21
Carl S. Brande
1945-1958
1 / 22
Horace and Charlotte Broaddus; Ernest and Georgia
Broaddus
1966-1975
1 / 23
Roll and Ruby Brown
1963-1973
1 / 24
Frank Busch
1943-1974
2 / 1
Donal and Alba Butler; Clark and Marvette Butler
(nephew of Fred Toman; includes biographical sketch of Donal and letters from
Ethiopia, Peru, Columbia)
1943-1974
2 / 2
John and Wietske Buitenga (relatives of Rinke
Baukema)
1955-1975
2 / 3
B (correspondents include Grant Baker; S. E. Ball;
George P. Barber; Rep. James F. Battin; Grace Beason; Mary and Joe Benecke; Dr. Perry
M. Berg; A. J. Bergsma; Alice T. Biddle; Lyle and Evelyn Birdsall; Resner and Ella
Blikken; Tony Brazina; George and Marian Bremner; Saletha Brown; Charles Burdett; Carl
Burkhardt)
1928, 1965-1975
2 / 4
C (correspondents include Rev. Ralph Calhoun; Lawrence
Campodonico; Gladys Carter; Oscar Christianson; Arthur H. Clark Company; Kenneth Cole;
Glenn Corbin; Eugene W. Corey; Damon Coulter; Country
Gentleman; Henry Craft)
1935, 1965-1975
2 / 5
D (correspondents include Mrs. Ebon Daily; Wesley A.
D'Ewart; Alfred F. Dougherty; C. J. Dousman; Richard "Bud" Drexel)
1936-1946
2 / 6
Exposition Press (re manuscript "The Years Slip By")
1973-1975
2 / 7
F-G (correspondents include Farmers State Bank, Blair,
Nebr.; L. A. Foot; Pres. Gerald Ford; Charles Gard)
1930-1975
2 / 8-9
Etta and Roy Hull (Rose Toman's sister and brother-in-
law)
1938-1956
2 / 10
H-L (correspondents include Bess Hodgson; Richard
Hogan; Elmer Holt; S. A. Holt; Ruth Hosford; Estalene Hunter; L. S. Hunter; Mrs. Sam
Johnson; Frank T. Kelsey; Lincoln Coin Company; E. A. Littleton)
1919-1973
2 / 11
George and Alice Marsh (Rose Toman's
parents)
1914-1928
2 / 12
Murat and Zella Marsh (Rose Toman's brother and
sister-in-law; plus children Warren Marsh and wife Theda, Melvin Marsh and wife Ruth,
and Eldon Marsh)
1917-1956
2 / 13
Walton Marsh (Rose Toman's brother)
1917-1956
2 / 14
Winona Dee Methany (Fred Toman's cousin)
1929
2 / 15
M-R (correspondents include Wilbur and Calvin Mahood;
Irma Martindale, cousin; Montana Congregational Conference; Montana Highway
Commission; Montana Historical Society, re history of Powder
River Examiner ; Manley Moore; Chester Onstad; Eugene S. Perry; Jack
Ridenour; Robinson Realty Company; Mrs. Sam Row)
1928-1970
2 / 16
Bertha Shaw (Fred Toman's sister and her daughter and
son-in-law Zoa and Sam Swayne; includes Swayne genealogy)
1966-1968
2 / 17
F. H. Sinclair (re origin of some Lakota words and
names)
1947
2 / 18
S (correspondents include Rev. R. Wilbur Simmons;
Lester L. and Ruth Skolil; Rep. Carl Smith; Lyman E. Smith, Grand Lodge of A. F. and
A. M. of Montana)
1967-1968
2 / 19
James R. Toman (father); Rose Toman; Sylvia
Toman
1920-1968
2 / 20
T-W (correspondents include Celia Tarbell; Dee C.
Taylor; Harry Turner-High; University of Montana Archives; University of Wyoming
Library; J. W. Unroe; U. S. Bureau of Land Management; Webster's Unified)
1967-1968
2 / 21
Unidentified
1944-1952
Miscellaneous Correspondence
2 / 22
Orinda Martindale Kelly (Fred Toman's aunt) to Minnie
Hunter (Fred Toman's sister) re his mother Mary Martindale
1920
Diaries
3 / 1-2
Diaries (typed transcripts only)
1908 January- 1916
September
3 / 3-5
Diaries (originals and typed transcripts)
1916 October - 1920
December
1 / 6-8
Diaries (originals and typed transcripts)
1921-1922
1 / 9
Diaries (originals)
1923-1927
1 / 10-11
Diaries (typed transcripts)
1923-1925
4 / 1
Diaries (typed transcripts)
1926-1927
4 / 2-3
Diary (original and typed transcript)
1928
4 / 4
Diary (typed original, includes 1930
summary)
1929-1930
4 / 5-7
Diaries (originals and typed transcripts)
1931-1933
4 / 8-9
Diaries (originals and typed transcripts)
1934-1935
4 / 10
Diaries (originals, no 1937 or 1939)
1936, 1938
5 / 1
Diaries (typed transcripts, no 1937 or
1939)
1936, 1938
5 / 2-4
Diaries (originals and typed transcripts)
1940-1941
5 / 5-7
Diaries (originals and typed transcripts)
1942-1943
5 / 6-7
Diaries (typed transcripts)
1942-1943
5 / 8
Diary (typescript only)
1944
5 / 9-10
Diary (original and typed transcripts)
1945
6 / 1-10
Diaries (typed originals, 1947 includes a few
hand-written pages)
1946-1955
7 / 1-11
Diaries (typed originals)
1956-1966
8 / 1-9
Diaries (typed originals)
1967-1975
8 / 10
Diaries: James R. Toman (typed
transcripts)
1907-1908, 1912
Financial Records
9 / 1-3
Cash accounts, expenditures, etc.: personal (typed
transcripts, scattered)
1908-1931
9 / 4-7
Cash accounts, expenditures, etc.: personal (typed
originals)
1941-1974
9 / 8-11
Cash accounts, expenditures, etc.: Toman and Baukema
ranch (typed originals)
1951-1965
10 / 1
Income taxes
1962
10 / 2
Small ledger
1922-1923
10 / 3
Tax assessments (scattered)
1940-1960
Legal Documents
10 / 4
Alice Marsh Estate; Noah Walton Marsh
Estate
1930, 1949
10 / 5
"A proposal to incorporate the Toman and Reder
ranches..."
undated
10 / 6
Sale of ranch
1975
Reports
10 / 7
"Exploration of the Yellowstone" (report of Lt. Henry
E. Maynadier) [typescript copy]
1860
Subject Files
10 / 8
Bicentennial material
1975
10 / 9
Brands
1915-1917
10 / 10
Echoing Footprints book committee
1967
10 / 11
Lindsay Mammoth Site northwest of Glendive
1972
10 / 12
Toman and Baukema partnership (includes partnership
proposal, certificate of partnership, production records, plat of land ownership,
history)
1951-1960
10 / 13
Toman's campaign for Montana State Senate
1932
10 / 14
Merle I. Zweifel mining claim on Toman and Baukema
Ranch
1972
Speeches and Writings
10 / 15
"Economic History of Southeastern Montana" (outline)
undated
10 / 16
"Foreword to Americanism Program" (speech to Masonic
Lodge and Eastern Star)
1968
10 / 17
"Looking into the Past" (talk for history class at
Powder River High School)
circa 1969
10 / 18
"A Major Retreat Magnificently Managed" (re drought
impact on cattle; published serially in Powder River
Examiner)
1934
10 / 19
"My Belle Fourche Experience, 1907"
undated
10 / 20
"My Contacts with the Barber Family" (re Harry Barber
in Pierce, Nebraska)
1965
10 / 21
"My Early Years in York [Nebraska]" (2
versions)
1966, 1972
10 / 22-23
"A Nebraska Boy Goes West" (2 versions)
undated
10 / 24
"A Nebraska Boy Goes West" (speech to Campbell County
Historical Society, Gillette, Wyoming)
1957
10 / 25
"One Helluva Snowstorm" (in 1908)
undated
10 / 26
Powder River Congregational Church : a History, the First 50
Years" (published)
1969
10 / 27
"Powder River County, Montana"
undated
10 / 28
"The Range Never Quits" (re drought and cattle
ranching; published in Country Gentleman
1936
10 / 29
Sermons
1959-1968
10 / 30
"The Story of a Masonic Apron" (published)
1972
10 / 31
"The Story of Old Biddle Ranch" (as told by Ashton
Jones)
1952
10 / 32
"The Taylor Grazing Act"
1935
11 / 1-6
"The Years Slip By" (autobiographical year by year
summary, version 1, no chapter numbers)
undated
11 / 7-10
"The Years Slip By" (autobiographical year by year
summary, version 2, chapters 1-35)
undated
12 / 1
Short pieces
1962-1972, undated
12 / 2
Rose Toman article for
Reader's Digest "Life in These United States" column
undated
Miscellany
12 / 3
Billings Gazette index
1942 April
12 / 4
Broadus Community Congregational Church: list of
pastors
1920-1970
12 / 5
Cattle records (includes records of births, feeding
record, cattle weights, inventories, etc.)
1922-1964
12 / 6
Condolence cards on death of Rose Toman
1973 February
12 / 7
Greeting cards
undated
12 / 8
List of transparencies of Toman Ranch; list of photos
transferred to Photograph Archives
1947-1955, 2009
12 / 9
Miscellaneous items removed from diaries
1924-1947
12 / 10
Notes
undated
12 / 11
Oil well log on Toman ranch
1968
12 / 12
Published articles by other people re Indian Wars,
etc. from United States Army Recruiting News and
Montana Magazine of Western History
1928, 1968, undated
12 / 13
Sheet music
1897, 1902
12 / 14
Speech by Paul Orcott re government cattle buying
program [see also Toman article "A Major Retreat..."]
1968
12 / 15
Writings by others (include poems; "Early-day
Mysteries" and "The Steer that Wouldn't Go to Market" by J. R. Mitchell; "Homesteading
in Montana" by Fred H. Schumacher; "Two Moons: a Cheyenne Chief" by Marie Gotfredson;
"We Need Pioneers" by Jim Wilson; "Chronology of the Mountain Fur Trade" by Bernard
DeVoto)
1968
12 / 16
Miscellaneous
undated
Clippings
8 / 22
Miscellaneous (re Toman and Baukema ranch operation;
naming of Leary oil field; Jaycees award; Ethiopian newspaper)
1950, 1963, 1969