Samuel's parents were Stephen Joseph Toner (1894-1953) and Beulah Nolan Toner (1898-1995). Stephen was born in Indianapolis to Samuel Toner from Ireland and Louise Toner from Indianapolis. In 1910, Stephen was 15 years old, able to read and write, but was making wages as a stamper rather than attending school. In 1920, Stephen was a laborer in the auto manufacturing industry, and by 1942, he would be a firefighter. Beulah was born in Beirut, Lebanon to Soloman and Sophia Nolan. In 1942, Beulah was working as an elevator operator.
On September 25, 1939, Samuel married Rosemary Agnes Harris in Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama. When Samuel was 23 years old, his 20-year-old wife had her eldest son Stephen John Toner on September 9, 1940 (died July 11, 2020) at St. Frances Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Samuel had three more children after Steven: Katherine “Kathy” Toner in 1942, Patrick “Big Pat” Toner in 1943, and Ann Toner in 1950. Ann was born premature in St. Vincent’s Hospital at a time when the prospective survival of premature babies was largely uncertain. Ann’s first birthday was published in the local newspaper, celebrating the miracle of her survival. Her church also gathered for a special mass to celebrate her birthday.
On September 25, 1939, Samuel married Rosemary Agnes Harris in Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama. When Samuel was 23 years old, his 20-year-old wife had her eldest son Stephen John Toner on September 9, 1940 (died July 11, 2020) at St. Frances Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Samuel had three more children after Steven: Katherine “Kathy” Toner in 1942, Patrick “Big Pat” Toner in 1943, and Ann Toner in 1950. Ann was born premature in St. Vincent’s Hospital at a time when the prospective survival of premature babies was largely uncertain. Ann’s first birthday was published in the local newspaper, celebrating the miracle of her survival. Her church also gathered for a special mass to celebrate her birthday.