Taken from original 5" x 7" book and recompiled for duplication by:

Deborah G. Huckaby
221 E. Bradbury
Rose Hill, KS 67133
(316) 776-0034

After many discussions among the older members of the Toyne Clan, it was thought best to write as complete a history as possible of the whole group of Toynes, for the purpose of leaving for future generations as complete a history of their past as was possible for us to procure. It is hoped that the future generations will keep adding thereto.

Each year there will be a reunion, and the history can be brought up to date at that time.

G. W. Toyne

The Toyne Clan of the United States, with a genealogy of the descendants of Great-Grandfather Joseph Toyne,

Lulu Weirick Remsburg

Katherine Rossow Toyne

Motto: "Peace and Prosperity"

Flower: "Red Rose"

Colors: "Silver and Rose"

Thomas Toyne, Sr., was born and reared in England. Later he was married. From this marriage eight children were born: Elijah, Robinson, John, George, Wilson, Rebecca, Joseph, and Thomas.

Mr. Toyne was a day laborer and often was unable to buy flour enough for his family. Thus, the children were compelled to begin working at an early age.

In 1845, when the youngest child, Thomas, was about a year and one-half old, Mrs. Toyne died. Later Mr. Toyne remarried. His second wife was a widow lady with eight small children, six boys and two girls.

America had been calling many of the younger youths of England, so in 1855 John, George, and Rebecca came to America, settling in the eastern part of Iowa. In the coming years all of the children of the first marriage followed, except Elijah. The stepchildren all remained in England, never coming to America during their lifetime.

Thomas, who had promised his father that he would not go to America until after his father's death, came in 1867.

The children, who are now in America, were early settlers of Iowa, all becoming prosperous farmers.

Some years later Robinson returned to England and there he died. He and Elijah were the only ones to be buried in England.

John Toyne, the third son of Thomas and Ann Robinson Toyne, was born in Willoughton, Lincolnshire, England, October 5, 1831. In February 1855 he came to America in company with his brother George and his only sister Rebecca. They came to Ridgeville, Lorain County, Ohio, where some of his mother's brothers were living. John remained there about two years when he came to Muscatine County, Iowa. In 1858, he returned to England and on March 22, 1859, was married to Elizabeth Gleadell in St. John's Episcopal Church in Willoughton, England. They came at once to Muscatine, Iowa, his brother Wilson coming with them. The next February he and his wife, together with his brother Joseph, went to Kansas, where they settled in Lawrence. While there he worked as a mason. They lost all their clothing, furniture, etc., and their house was burned by Quantrill, the rebel raider. They themselves barely escaped with their lives.

In 1864, they returned to Muscatine County, where he resided until the time of his death.

The death of Mr. Toyne was the first break in the family circle for almost fifty years.

He passed peacefully away at 11:30 p. m., Sunday, September 14, 1913, aged 81 years, 11 months and 9 days.

Rebecca, the daughter of Thomas and Ann Toyne, of Willoughton, Lincolnshire, England, was born August 13, 1833. Her mother died in 1846 and her father married again. At this time, she decided to work out for a living. She worked and saved enough money to pay her way over to America. She went to an aunt in Ohio. It was here she married Utting Houseman of Waddingham, Lincolnshire, England, March 10, 1856.

They decided to go west and located at Muscatine, Iowa. Working out as day laborers till they had earned and saved enough to rent a small place. Mr. Houseman worked out in the day time and farmed his own ground at nights.

From this place they moved to a place one and a half miles west, on the Old Iowa City Trail. By this time they were able to buy a farm known as the Lloyd Farm. Here they worked very hard and in later years bought three other farms and two timber pastures which were divided among the children at his death. Rebecca then stayed with her son Utting, who lived on the home place.

In the spring of 1917, Utting and his mother moved to a home on Eighth Street, Muscatine, Iowa. It was here she failed very fast and departed from this life May 27, 1917. She was laid to rest beside her husband in the family lot in Greenwood Cemetery, Muscatine, Iowa.

George Toyne was born at Willoughton, Lincolnshire, Old England, on June 3, 1835. He died at his home in Glidden, Iowa, June 25, 1911, at the age of 76 years and 22 days.

He was the fifth child of a family of eight children.

In February 1855, he, with his brother John and sister Rebecca, came to the United States of America, stopping at Ridgeville, Saline County, Ohio, for a length of time. He then came to Muscatine, Iowa, and through to Cedar County, where he resided until about the year of 1871, when he came to Carroll County, where he resided until the time of his death.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca Jane Bolton in Cedar County, Iowa, March 28, 1861.

On August 28, 1862 he enlisted in Co. E, 11th Regiment, Iowa Volunteers. He served until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., June 2, 1865. When he enlisted in the war he signed the temperance pledge and gave freely of his means until his death.

Soon after his return from the war, he was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was official member for a third of a century, filling most acceptably the offices of Steward, Trustee and class leader. At the time of his death he was holding the office of Steward.

On December 3, 1871, his wife died, and on September 30, 1875, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Juletta Jane Scranton. To this union five children were born. Four were living at the time of his death.

He was a great lover of flowers and music. The red rose was his favorite flower.

Joseph Toyne was born in Lincolnshire, England, on the 16th day of February, 1837, and departed this life in Olympia, Washington, at the home of his daughter, on the 15th of May, 1922, aged 85 years and 3 months lacking one day. Mr. Toyne left his native home for America in 1856 and after a short stay in Ohio, came to Muscatine, Iowa. In Warren county he made his home until 1870 when he removed to Greene county, settling in Cedar township. Here on the virgin prairie he industriously set about to make his home and to achieve the success which crowned his later years.

In 1865 Mr. Toyne was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bentley. Unto the union eight children were born.

After 31 years of married life Mrs. Toyne departed this life.

In 1902 Mr. Toyne was married a second time, Miss Elizabeth Taylor of Lincolnshire, England, becoming his wife. She passed away in September, 1910.

The life of Mr. Toyne is a striking example of success and the way it is achieved. Industry, diligence, economy and service were watchwords of his career. By the exercise of these virtues his latter years were blessed by material comforts when the hand of affliction had retired him from active life. He also was able to pass on material possessions to his children.

He was interested in community life, a faithful member, attendant and supporter for twenty years of the Methodist church, a loyal citizen and a constant friend.

In 1859, Wilson Toyne came to Muscatine, Iowa, with his brother John and his wife. He remained in Iowa while his brothers John and Joseph were in Kansas. He worked in Muscatine and Cedar counties. For a while, he lived in Illinois, where he entered the Union Army as a member of Co. I, 28th Illinois Infantry. After the close of the war he married Susan Huntsberger, residing the remainder of his life in Muscatine, Iowa, living on the farm until his health compelled him to retire and the rest of his life was spent in Muscatine.

Thomas Toyne, Jr., was born on March 17, 1844, in Lincolnshire, England, and came to America on March 4, 1867. Mr. Toyne landed in Iowa, and worked in different parts of the state for several years. After about seven years in Iowa he purchased his farm and later returned to England, where he wooed and won his wife, Ann Denton. On January 25, 1877, they were married in Willoughton, Lincolnshire, England. Then they came to America, landing at Glidden, Iowa, on March 14, 1877. From there they came to the farm in western Greene County, which they occupied until 1913 when they moved to their new home at Lanesboro. In 1910 Mr. Toyne again made a visit to his home country and while there he purchased material for a dress for his wife, which she wore on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, which they celebrated at their home in Lanesboro on January 25, 1927. There were 32 relatives present, who came with well-filled baskets to remind them of their wedding day. All of their four children were present, also fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Toyne was nearly 83 years of age and Mrs. Toyne was past 80. They were prominent church workers and loved to attend church services whenever health permitted them. Mother Toyne passed away at her home in Lanesboro on October 8, 1927, and Father Toyne on July 12, 1931.