(Picture: Justin Tolman and Philo T. Farnsworth)
To anyone who is familiar with the Judson Tolman family, it is clear that there has always been an unusual emphasis on education, with many prominent educators carrying on this focus throughout subsequent generations. It probably began with Hannah Holbrook, Sarah Lucretia’s step-mother, who is credited with being the first school teacher in Bountiful, followed by Patty Sessions and Zibiah Jane Stoker. Jaren Tolman, was the first of Judson’s offspring to take up the vocation. David Roy Tolman and his bride-to-be, Maude Boulton, were part of the original faculty of the Stoker School, where David served as Principal until his retirement in 1951. The David R. Tolman Memorial Elementary School was so named because of his service as a teacher and administrator.
Judson’s youngest son, Justin, was a mathematics teacher. Among his students was Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television. In the catalog that accompanied the program on the occasion of the unveiling of Philo Farnsworth’s statue in the rotunda of the Utah State Capitol, is the story of Justin Tolman’s role in helping to document the timing and detail of Philo Farnsworth’s invention. This testimony, which was given in both Washington, D. C. and Salt Lake City in 1934, was critical in proving ownership by Philo Farnsworth of the patent for television.
From my own family I can think of numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren of Judson Tolman who have distinguished themselves in the field of education. Dale Richards Tolman (grandson), Richard R. Tolman, DeeAnn Tolman Bird, Jennifer (Tolman) Bird, Jay David Tolman, Nancy Tolman Murphy (great grandchildren), Rebecca Tolman Klein and Robin Tolman Ward jump immediately to mind, but there are many more from other branches of Judson’s family. Extensive research would be required to document the names and faculties of educators who have descended from Judson Tolman—research that transcends the scope of this history. It would, however, be a worthy project for one of our cousins to document.
Additional research focuses could also include the identification of ordained patriarchs who are descendants of Judson Tolman. Among his descendants, particularly in the Mabey family, it is reported that there have been at least five generations of patriarchs bearing the name “Judson.” It is also apparent that significant numbers of Judson’s descendants have entered legal professions—both as attorneys as well as judges. And, of course, there is Charles R. Mabey— “Uncle Charl”—who distinguished himself as Mayor of Bountiful and Governor of the State of Utah.
Before closing this chapter of our narrative, it is important to observe that Judson Tolman, himself, was a well educated man. His life as a robust frontier lumberman might not lead one to the conclusion that he was well educated. However, his writings, his eloquent patriarchal blessings, his reputation among the saints for speaking in tongues and translating the messages of others who spoke in tongues—frequently other fellow patriarchs—his selection of well educated women as his brides, and the focus upon education among his offspring, all indicate to us that Judson Tolman placed great value upon “learning” and upon the finer things of life that are derived from education.
(Contributed by the Thomas Tolman Family Organization. Excerpt taken from Judson Tolman: Pioneer, Lumberman, Patriarch by E. Dennis Tolman, Second Edition, pages 63-64).