The Tonelli Family Story
On October 12, 1903, our Great-Grandfather, Emilio Tonelli, a farmer from Modena, Italy (northern Italy), arrived via Ellis Island at 25 years old. He came to meet his brother Silvestro and go to work at the Cherry Coal Mine in Cherry, Illinois. Just a few miles north of LaSalle, Ill.
They lived in Ladd, Illinois, about 3 miles away from the mine. The workers were able to obtain housing, consisting of small row houses owned by the St. Paul mine company. After the Cherry Mine disaster, is when they moved to Des Moines, IA. and went to work at the cement plant. just off of Park Avenue. They lived in the plant’s housing. Then they bought the house on Winona Avenue, where they were still when I was a kid. Until the 1993 flood pretty much took that house out.
Cherry Coal Mine
Went to work at the Cherry Coal Mine. Unfortunately, he was sent to the bottom of the mine due to the stature of Italians, being shorter and smaller than the Americans and others. I guess it was easier for them to fit in the bottom of the mine. It was very dirty work in the mine, and most people from the States didn’t care much for them being Italian, nor did they care much for anyone not speaking English. So I don’t think their lifestyle wasn’t really good.
Theresa, Lena, Mary and Joe
Children? Yes, one, Stella at 4 months old when she came with her Mother Giovanna (Guidotti) Tonelli, on September 17th, 1904. at the age of 27. Then came more children, Jennie, my Grandfather Charlie, and Amelia.
On November 13, 1909, at the age of 30, Emilio was killed in the Cherry Mine Disaster. Now that was really bad. If you have never heard about it I could talk for a long time about it. Or there are a few books about it. 1).”Cherry Hills Mining Disaster” of 1909.” It is told by a survivor. 2) “Trapped”, and another I forgot the name. Very interesting. This disaster is what started Workers’ Compensation Law.
Once Giovanni met Pietro Lancelotti, they married and came to the States, they had 4 children. Theresa, Lena, Mary and Joe Lancelotti.
Fond Memories
My Dad, George (Maney) had a great reputation his entire life. He was a fair man to do business with. He learned autobody repair through Grandpa Charlie and had his own shop. He was very active in WDM Little Girls Softball in Holiday Park. He coached me and my 2 older sisters for as long as the league’s age limit (high school). He umpired endless hours and also maintained the fields, and my Mom ran the concession stand for a few years and kept score at our games. He went to work for the WDM Parks and Recreation Dept, after closing up his body shop until he and my Mom retired.
Dad knew everybody in Valley Junction, and we couldn’t go anywhere and be back on time cause he got stopped by folks just to talk for a few minutes. He was friends with all.
Grandma (Gladys) Tonelli had it the hardest, I’ll bet. She worked multiple jobs to support her 10 children. Colleen, my Dad George (Maney), Donald (T), Eldee (Tuner), Angelo, Claudette, Jenny (Sena), Annie, Suzie, and Carmela. Since her husband, my Grandpa Charlie, left and went into the service for WWII, they later divorced. So he wasn’t around.
I didn’t realize that my folks had struggles as I was growing up. We always had what we needed. My Mom was a fantastic seamstress and made a lot of our clothes. And with our large family we had, there was always something to do with the cousins.
We bonded with everybody, literally everyone. Grandma’s house was always open to those in need of a meal, a place to stay, and friends, of course.
Our family values were Family first, love and take care of each other, and be good to all especially our elders.
All the interesting stories of their childhood and adolescence. Sometimes they pop up out of nowhere. Dad would tell stories of all the uncles, Donald (T), Eldee (Tuner), rolling cars with no motor down Hanawalt Hill to see how far they could get around the curve. Throwing an old wallet tied to a fishing line out in the street and waiting till someone would try and pick it up, then reeling the line in fast.
Kicking the can, sledding at Waveland Golf Course. My Aunts Annie, Suzie, Coleen, and Jenny (Sena) are going to see a show at the Lyric theater, then hiding out till the next show starts. They tried to sneak out the side door, only to be caught by one of my Dads friends. and the Melody record shop, and beer joints up town.
The stories never stopped.
Submitted by Vaniese(Tonelli) Wherter
George (Maney) Daughter
August 2026