John R. Toole was born in Maine in 1850 and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. While working at the Bonanza Mine in Challis, Idaho in the 1870s, he met and married Anna Hardenbrook. In 1883 the young family moved to Anaconda, Montana, with Anna’s father, Allen Hardenbrook and his wife, Thula. John Toole worked in Marcus Daly’s Anaconda smelter. In 1886 he was elected to the territorial legislature for two terms, and in 1890 he served a term on the state legislature. In 1900 the family moved to Missoula. John Toole went to work for the Big Blackfoot Milling Company where he became president and was heavily involved in timber acquisition.
John R. and Anna Toole had six children: Honora, Thula, Allen, Howard, Brice, and John R., Jr. John R. Toole died in 1916 and Anna Toole died in 1934.
The John R. Toole family papers consist of photocopies of family correspondence from 1882 to 1916, undated genealogy papers, two family photographs, and a 1905 court case involving timber and John R. Toole.
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.
[Name of document or photograph number], John R. Toole family papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Acquired by the Archives from John H. Toole in 1987.
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