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'''David L. Toner''' (1848-)

Toner was born in Waterville, MN. In 1868 he moved to the "western frontier". Appears in Miles City about [[1 May 1877]]. Listed as a [[joiner]] and a [[builder]] or a [[carpenter]], '77-'82. In '80 is also a [[buffalo hunter]].

Shortly after [[Jason Strevell]] arrived in Miles City and word got out the he was a lawyer, [[Dick Tonar]] approached him. His brother Dave had been thrown in the stockade for his debts. Strevell told Dick that it wasn't legal to do that, and he helped obtain his release.

ABout 1881, he lived near the train depot. In 1882, he lived on 8th between Pleasant & Palmer.

[[22 Sep 1881]] his wife, [[Jane Roche]], arrives in Miles City. Five months later ([[25 Feb 1882]]) his wife dies from complications of childbirth. She was buried [[28 Feb 1882]] services by [[Father Lindesmith]].

Dec 1884, he is the superintendent in charge of the construction of the [[Ursuline Convent]]. located on the south side of Miles City, in the [[Leighton and Garlock addition]].

This was related in a book written by Strevell's son, where he also mentioned the betrothal:
"Later, Dave built a hospital for the Catholic sisters and improved his time so rapidly that about the time the building was completed he and the Mother Superior eloped."

[[Sister Sacred Heart Meilink]] came to Miles City with [[Sister Amadeus]]. Sister Sacred Heart traveled from Ohio to teach in a school for Indian children. She belonged to the [[Ursuline Sisters]], but left the order to marry D. L. Toner who had traveled to the Miles City to build schools for the government. They had a daughter Irene C. and two sons, David J. and Lee (Leo) Michael Toner. 

D.L. Toner was a widower when he met Sister Sacred Heart. D.L. Toner came to Miles City in the early 1870's and married [[Susan (Susanna) Meilink]] in 1885 and after about 10 years in Montana went to Wardner, Idaho where he was in the mercantile business with his two brothers. He settled in Chewelah, Washington in 1888 where he established another mercantile business. He died and is buried in St Mary of the Rosary Cemetery in Chewelah, Stevens, Washington.

[[Father Lindesmith]]'s diaries contain more information.