Guide to the Tonkin Family Papers, 1834-1963 AIS.1963.03
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Tonkin Family Papers
Collection Number
AIS.1963.03
Extent
2.25 Linear Feet(3 boxes)
Date
1834-1963
Abstract
The Tonkin family was involved in the logging industry in Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania during the late 1800s. The Tonkin Family papers consist mostly of business papers pertaining to Vincent Tonkin's lumber business and family material such as book manuscript material and research notes of R. Dudley Tonkin and John D. Tonkin, family photographs, and newspaper clippings about local news.
Language
English
.
Author
Archives Service Center Staff. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process on January 14, 2004.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
The Tonkin family of Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania, ran a lumber business in Clearfield, Cambria and Indiana counties in western Pennsylvania during the late 1800s. Cherry Tree was originally called Canoe Place or Newman Mill, and from 1867 to 1907 was sometimes also called Grant. Vincent Tonkin's family moved to the Cherry Tree area when he was a young boy, and he spent his entire life working in the lumber business. Tonkin's father-in-law, Robert Hughes, also worked in lumber and served as the Justice of the Peace in Cherry Tree for many years. In 1938, Vincent Tonkin's sons R. Dudley and V. Ord Tonkin organized the construction of a last raft of large spar logs for a trip down the Susquehanna River. The local community, including many former lumber industry workers, participated in making, piloting, and riding the raft. Near the end of its journey, the raft ran into a bridge, sending many passengers overboard - seven to their death. R.D. Tonkin's son Joseph Dudley Tonkin gives a detailed account of the journey in his book The Last Raft. R. Dudley Tonkin worked in the lumber industry for most of his life. He was also involved in conservation efforts regarding reforestation. After he retired, he researched the history of Cherry Tree and of the local lumber industry, often giving lectures about these topics to local groups. In 1958, the University of Pittsburgh Press published his book about the history of logging in western Pennsylvania entitled My Partner, the River.
Scope and Content Notes
The Tonkin family papers are divided into two series: lumber business records relating to the family logging business, and family papers. The business papers contain mostly business correspondence, receipts, and account books. The family papers include a small scrapbook of newspaper clippings, photographs, research notes, some of R.D. Tonkin's correspondence, and a book manuscript. A more detailed description of each series is provided at the series level description below.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of R. Dudley Tonkin on October 15, 1963.
Preferred Citation
Tonkin Family Papers, 1834-1963, AIS.1963.03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Tonkin Family Papers, 1834-1963, AIS.1963.03, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Tonkin Family. Papers, 1828-1963, ais 63:3, Archives of Industrial Society, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
Processing Information
This collection was processed in 1963.
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
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