Class Photo with John Toner, Yoncalla Oregon c 1924-1926

Class Photo with John Toner, Yoncalla Oregon c 1924-1926

Year: 1924

Reflections. Jeffrey Hunt, February 15 2026 A small but vivid snapshot of rural Oregon families from the generation just before World War II. The great generation. A Yoncalla class photo from the late 1920s, likely around fourth grade, with 24 students and a teacher. That’s John Robert Toner middle row, on the right, my grand-uncle. John was born in Yoncalla Oregon in 1912. What is worth noting is that the back of the photo lists every child by name. I’m assuming Mrs Miller, there in the back, added names to all the 24 photos. Yoncalla was rural and you can see the craftmanship and ingenuity in clothing those kids for school. The Louise Brooks style haircuts are especially charming and clearly the girl in the second row far right, Wanita Wam, wears it in style. Zoom in on this photo—there’s real personality here. The original print was literally spattered, everywhere, with small coffee stains. Uncle John’s expression explains it all. Top row (left to right): Lawrence Coons, Hilbert Lawson, Bernice Reynolds, D Cooper, Elizabeth Hawlman, Mrs Miller, Bobby Brown, Clyde Kelso, Katherine Dougherty, Harry Mathis Middle row: Rosy Davis, Doris Kimman, Audrey Smith, Harold Edes, Culthern Sn