JOHN C. TOCHE
Born at Mobile between 1828 and 1840.(Act 844, p. 223)
WILLIAM F. TOCHE (1862-1937)
Born in Mississippi, the son of Joseph P. Toche of France, and Mary Anderson of Alabama. W.F. Toche married Mary Gary Toche (1858-1934), a native of Mississippi. Parents Alabama and North Carolina. Children: Laura Toche (1878-1940) m. Gideon 'Git' Tillman (1872-1925); Elizabeth Toche (1882-1978) m. Hall Peter Madsen (1879-1918) and Harry Samuel Struchen (1891-1977); Victor Toche (1887-1962) m. Norma Rapon (1885-1918) and Myrtle Spicer; and Emily Toche (1890-1970) m. Charles Ryan (1883-1939).
Children
Laura Toche
[The Daily Herald, July 26, 1940, p. 5 and The Daily Herald, April 2, 1925, p. 3]
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, 'Gideon Tillman dead', April 2, 1925, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, 'Mrs. Tillman dies', July 26, 1940, p. 5.
The Daily Herald, 'Oscar Tillman', January 20, 1964, p. 2.
The Jackson County Times, 'Prominent Building Contractor dead', April 4, 1925.
Elizabeth Toche
Elizabeth Toche was born December 28, 1882 to William F. Toche (1853-1937) and Mary Gary (1854-1934). She married Hall Peter Madsen (1879-1918). Their children were: Hal Peter Madsen (1902-1971), Helen M. McDaniel Belton (1906-1988), Ruth M. Mullin (1912-1999), and Murrell Vera M. Beckham (1916-1938).
Mrs. Elizabeth Madsen’s father, William Toche, was a house painter. In November 1896, he painted the interior of the Methodist Church free of charge. His service was given to the Ladies Aid Society.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November 20, 1896, p. 3)
Peter Madsen was an interesting man. He made his living as a pecan grafter and worked in the field of herpetology. Mr. Madsen’s labors often involved travel to set up pecan orchards in other regions. It is believed that the pecan culture brought him as far as South Texas. From his Dewey Avenue home, Pete Madsen would also capture poisonous snakes, “milk” their venom, and sell it to pharmaceutical laboratories for anti-toxins. He would often place a “pet” reptile in his shopping bag when he went to Albert Gottsche’s or another local merchant. Madsen’s “snake-in-the-bag” act was an excellent repellent for would be thieves!(Trixie M. Urie, February 5, 2001)
In addition to her maternal and household duties, Elizabeth T. Madsen, like her violin playing brother, Victor Toche (1886-1962), was also musically inclined. She and Ethel T. Dalgo Manuel (1896-1978) played piano at Illing’s Airdome Theatre before talking movies were in vogue. Mrs. Madsen and Victor Toche would on occasions “jam” together.(Ibid.)
Victor Toche, like his father, a house painter, became a well-known Gulf Coast musician. In December 1924, he competed in a fiddling contest at Biloxi where he played “The Mocking Bird”. Clearly the audiences’ choice for first prize, Mr. Toche lost to an old Civil War veteran from Beauvoir, in what was clearly a sympathy vote from the judges.(The Jackson County Times, December 13, 1924, p. 5)
In January 1916, Peter Madsen and his spouse sold land their land to J. Lillian Miles Russell (1890-1929), the spouse of H.F. Russell (1858-1940) for $500.00.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 42, pp. 167-168) This transaction amounted to a loan as they reacquired it from Mrs. Russell in January 1919, for $650.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 46, p. 304)
Hall Peter Madsen expired on November 3, 1918. At the time, he was employed with the Dierks-Blodgett shipyard at Pascagoula. Mr. Madsen had been stricken with the Spanish influenza. He returned to work to soon and relapsed with pneumonia, which took his young life.(The Jackson County Times, November 9, 1918, p. 5)
Mrs. Elizabeth Madsen remarried at Gulfport, in February 1928, to Harry Samuel Struchen (1891-1977), a native of Fairview, Pennsylvania. Mr. Struchen had found Ocean Springs with the skating troupe of Eugene F. Mullin (1896-1974), who would wed his stepdaughter, Ruth Madsen (1912-1999). In the early 1940s, after the Mullins’ skating entourage ceased their seasonal traveling circuit, Struchen worked as a seaman aboard iron ore carriers plying the chilly waters of the Great Lakes. Before retirement, he labored as a concrete finisher on the Gulf Coast. Harry S. Struchen passed on January 19, 1977. Mrs. Elizabeth Madsen Struchen expired on September 13, 1978.(The Jackson County Times, February 18, 1928, p. 5, The Daily Herald, January 20, 1977, p. A-2 and September 14, 1978, p. A-2 and Trixie M. Urie, February 5, 2001)
Victor Toche
Victor Toche, 76 year old blind lifelong resident of Ocean Springs, Mississippi was found dead at his Forest Hills residence about 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, 1962. The police department reported that Josephine Hayden Toche (1925-2010), his daughter-in-law, found the body shortly after his demise. Victor had been in residence with Alvin A. Toche, his son, for several years.
An inquest was held at the police station by Jackson County Corner J. Leslie Nelson and the jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes. Bailiff at the inquest was Constable Roy Tootle and jurors were: Bernard Beaugez, Leonard Allen, Shirod Miller, Raymond Cox, Louis Noble and Penny Cates.
Victor Toche (1887-1962), a house painter and violin player, married Norma Rapon (1885-1918), a Louisiana native. Widowed in 1920: Children: Irma B. Toche (1910-1929), Alvin A. Toche (1916-1983), and Norma Toche (b. 1918).
Victor married Myrtle Spicer and had three daughters: Molla Marion Toche m. Curtis Ladnier, Robert A. Reeder and Anthony Anselmo Jr. (1916-1981); Gladys L. Toche m. Frank B. De Costa (1921-2014); and Thelma Louise Toche m. Willard Bridges (1915-1991).
In June 1937, Myrtle Spicer Toche was granted a divorce from Victor Toche in Jackson County, Mississippi.(The Daily Herald, June 17, 1937, p. 3)
Mr. Toche was survived by his son and four daughters: Mrs. J.H. McGee and Thelma Louise Toche (1927-2013) m. Willard Bridges (1915-1991), both of Kentwood, Louisiana; Mrs. Tony Anselmo of Biloxi; and Mrs. Frank B. DeCosta of California; two sisters, Elizabeth Toche Madsen Struchen (1882-1978) m. Hall Peter Madsen (1879-1918) and Harry Samuel Struchen (1891-1977); and Emily Toche (1890-1970), wife of Charles Ryan (1883-1939), both of Ocean Springs.
The funeral was held from the J. Ben O'Keefe Memorial Chapel with internment in Evergreen Cemetery at Ocean Springs.
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, 'Chancellor grants three divorces in Jackson County', June 17, 1937, p. 3.
The Daily Herald, 'Victor Toche', December 14, 1962, p. 2.
The Jackson County Times, 'Local and Personal', December 13, 1924.
Children of Victor Toche
Alvin A. Toche (1916-1983)-born at Ocean Springs on January 15, 1916. Worked as a public school maintenance man. Married Josephine H. Toche (1925-). Children: Shirley F. Toche m. Bill Parker and had three children - Linda K. Parker, Susanne Parker and Charolette Parker; Alvin J. Toche (1947-1984) m. Genevieve R. Bullock and had three children: Tonya M. Toche (b. 1974) m. Jason A. Howard (b. 1972); Jeremy L. Toche and Kimberly Toche (b. 1978); Frederick M. Toche m. Virginia G. 'Trudy' Newman and had two children: Trudy Toche Jr. and Jennifer Toche; Charles M. "Peanut" Toche m. Linda Jo Taranto and had three children: Charles Toche Jr., Billy Wayne Toche and Samantha Toche; Bufford Walter Toche m. Cecelia 'Cindy' Dollene Driver and had two children: Brandee L. Toche and Leslee J. Toche.
___________________________
Emily Toche
Emily Toche (1890-1970) was born August 8, 1890. She married Charles Ryan (1883-1939). Children: Mickey Ryan; Oral Mae Ryan m. Anthony B. Senseney (1928-1997);
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CAPTAIN JOSEPH A. TOCHE (1848-1908)
Joseph A. Toche, a sailor, was born at Mobile, Alabama and baptized at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception(Act. 464, p. 154). His father was from France and mother an Alabamian. Circa 1869, he married Caroline Mathieu (1830-1895), the widow of John ? Westbrook. She was born on February 25, 1830 at Louisville, Kentucky. Her parents were from Italy and France respectively. Niece of Joseph Tosso, the well-known composer. At Ocean Springs, a midwife, and mother of seven children. Died February 13, 1895 at home of her son, Edwin M. Westbrook. Buried Bellande Cemetery.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, February 13, 1895)
Caroline Mathieu's children with John Westbrook were: Martha Westbrook (1851-1919) who married Leonard Fayard (1847-1923); Edwin M. Westbrook (1858-1913) who married Hattie Clark; Henry R. Westbrook (1860-1938) who married Francis J. Hadley (b. 1860); and Viola Westbrook (b. 1865) who married John Bourgeois. Her children with Captain Joseph A. Toche were: Mary Adele Toche (b. 1870 at NOLA) and Joseph A. Toche Jr. (1872-1960).
The Joseph A. Toche family moved to Biloxi in 1879. They were residing at 211 Myrtle Street in Biloxi, when Mr. Toche passed on January 19, 1908. He had been a foreman at the Barataria Canning Company until July 1907, when he was forced to retire because of illness.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, January 20, 1908, p. 1)
CHILDREN
Mary A. Toche
Mary Adele Toche was born February 26, 1870, at New Orleans, Louisiana. No further information.
Joseph A. Toche II
Joseph A. Toche IIJ(1872-1960) married Angelina Labash (1878-1893+) in August 1893. Married Olivia Ryan (1872-1953), the daughter of Calvin Ryan and Pauline Anderson in 1895. Children: Lillie Agnes Toche Ellzey Cruso (1896), Wesley Joseph Toche (1898-1971), Caroline Pauline Toche (1899-pre 1910), John Adolphe Toche (1900-1988), Mary Olivia Toche (1902-1917), Henry Marcellas Toche (1904-1985), Calvin Toche (1907-1984), Tabitha 'Doody' T. James (1912-2014), and Joseph Toche (b. 1917). Joseph A. Toche expired on February 29, 1960.
Children
Lillie Agnes Toche (1896-1968) was born on March 14, 1896, at New Orleans. Married John Samuel Ellzey (ca 1893-1969) at Biloxi in August 1914. One child: Eugene Ellzey (b. 1915). Divorced Mr. Ellzey and married William Charles Cruso (1893-1975) in March 1919. Nine children.
Joseph Wesley Toche (1897-1971) was born on November 23, 1897, at New Orleans. Married Anita Sonnier (1906-1949), the daughter of Julian Sonnier and Amee’ Hebert. Married Doris Maxine Fletcher (1910-1971), native of Nashville, Tennessee. Shop foreman for Cruso Canning Company. Seven children: J. Wesley Toche Jr., John Wallace Toche (1926-1976), Curtis Anthony Toche (1931-2006), J. Eugene Toche (1937-1998), Robert Conner (stepson?), Anita T. Ferrill, Ruby T. Buchanan, Mrs. Elston Johnson. J. Wesley Toche died May 1, 1971 and Doris Fletcher Toche on October 21, 1971. J. Wesley Toche and Doris Fletcher Toche buried Southern Memorial Park at Biloxi.(The Daily Herald, May 2, 1971, p. A-2 and The Ocean Springs Record, October 28, 1971, p. 2)
Anita Sonnier Toche died June 24, 1949.
J. Wesley Toche Jr. married Bernice Marie Thibodeaux (1922-2006), a native of Erath, Louisiana in 1945. She was the daughter of Cestia and Emily Thibodeaux. They were the parents of: Gary James Toche married Judy Breaux; Wesley Toche III married Susan Cochran; and Kathleen Toche married Thomas E. Roberts.(The Sun Herald, February 23, 2006, p. A6)
Joseph Wesley Toche III married Susan Cochran, the daughter of Edward Henry Cochran Sr. and Mary Fountain Cochran. Kathryn Emiline Toche, their daughter, married Michael Sean O'Grady, the son of Thomas L. O'Grady and Bernadette Cavalier O'Grady, on November 24, 2007 at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral at Biloxi. Aimee Rebecca Toche , another daughter, married Robert Benjamin Jordan on June 13, 2009 at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral in Biloxi.(The Sun Herald, November 4, 2007, p. F12 and May 24, 2009, p. F11)
Curtis Anthony Toche (1931-12/3/2006) married Phyllis Fay Strong (1933-8/2-2008), the daughter of Rupert Strong (1901-1989) and Clara Griffin (1908-1990), circa 1950. Children: Curtis 'Bo' Anthony Toche Jr. married Patricia ?; Paulette Toche married Paul Baudry; Perry Stephen Toche Sr. married Janis Lynn Baldwin and Beverly McKee; Donna Toche married Buck Neel; Gayle Toche married Pat Gray; Danny Ray Toche Sr. married Melina Sue Moss; Anne Michele Barhanovich; and Julie Lynn Clark; and Terri Toche married Kenny Hollomon.(The Sun Herald, December 5, 2006, p. A9 and The Biloxi-D'Iberville Press, August 14, 2008, p. A5)
Caroline Pauline Toche (1899-pre-1910)-the daughter of Joseph A. Toche and Olevia Ryan was born July 13, 1899. No further information.
John Adaulph Toche (1900-1988) was born at Biloxi on October 9, 1900, the son of Joseph A. Toche (1872-1960) and Olevia Ryan (1872-1953). In November 1922, he married Mary Martinez (1905-1977), the daughter of William Martinez (1877-1930), a Spanish immigrant and Theresa E. Stevens (1889-1965) of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Made his livelihood as a boat builder. Children: Marie Cecile Toche (1924-1925), Pauline T. Alfonso, Iona T. Couture, Theresa T. Fountain, Joseph Adolphe Toche, John Anthony Toche, William Rogers Toche (1932-1982). Died October 16, 1988. Buried at Biloxi City Cemetery. (The Ocean Springs Record, November 22, 1972, p. 7 and The Ocean Springs Record, October 20, 1988, p. 3)
Adaulph Toche and his father, Joseph A. Toche II, were ship carpenters at Biloxi in 1920, when the family resided on Myrtle Street. Adaulph's grandfather, Captain Joseph A. Toche (1848-1908) a native of Mobile, had been a foreman at the Barataria Canning Company until July 1907, when he was forced to retire because of illness.
It is interesting to note that Joseph A. Toche had married the Widow Westbrook, Caroline Mathieu (1830-1895) of Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1869. Caroline M. Westbrook was the mother of: Martha V. Westbrook (1851-1919) who married Leonard Fayard (1847-1923); Edwin M. Westbrook (1858-1913) who married Harriette Clark (1857-1927); Henry R. Westbrook (1860-1938) who married Francis J. Hadley (b. 1860); and Viola Westbrook (b. 1865) who married John Bourgeois. Her children with Captain Joseph A. Toche were: Mary Adele Toche (b. 1870) and Joseph A. Toche II (1872-1960). The Joseph A. Toche family moved to Biloxi in 1879. They were residing at 211 Myrtle Street in Biloxi, when Mr. Toche passed on January 19, 1908.
At the age of thirty-four, Adaulph Toche commenced his own boatyard on the Biloxi Channel adjacent to the DeJean Packing Company. This is Grand Casino country to you recent arrivals. Here until 1955, he built wooden fishing boats for the Sekul, Mavar, Cruso, Dubaz, and Leckich and Fayard canneries. In 1937, Mr. Toche also constructed the Pan American Clipper, the Ship Island tour boat.
Annoyed with renting boat yard space at Biloxi and unable to purchase a suitable waterfront site, Adaulph Toche acquired 18.54 acres on Old Fort Bayou in Sections 14 and 23, T7S-R8W, for $10,500 from Stanford Williams in August 1955. Here with his sons, he commenced Toche Boat Builders and platted the Toche Subdivision. By the 1960s, the Toches called themselves Toche Enterprises, Inc. and were operating a hardware store, lumberyard, and variety center in addition to boat construction and repair.
The Toche family primarily built wooden vessels until after Hurricane Camille (1969), when steel-hulled fishing boats came into vogue. In fact the last ten vessels constructed at the facility before it closed in 1976, were ten, steel-hulled, refrigerated fishing boats for foreign investors. Five went to Korea and five to Venezuela.
After Jim Vickers acquired the Toche facility in 1976, it has had several owners, among them: Coastal Shipbuilding (1979-1983), and Galmer Inc. (1984-1985). Warren Strayham has owned the former Toche boatyard since December 1986, and currently leases it to Michael Toche, the grandson of Adaulph Toche. Michael Toche continues an almost one hundred year old family tradition-building quality, seaworthy vessels for world.
J. Adaulph Toche expired on October 16, 1988. His corporal remains were sent to the Biloxi Cemetery for burial.
CHILDREN
John Anthony Toche
Mary Olivia Toche (1902-1917)-was born at Biloxi. Died on July 28, 1917, at 211 Myrtle Street in Biloxi. Buried in the Biloxi Cemetery.(The Daily Herald, July 28, 1917, p. 3)
Henry Marcellas Toche (1904-1985) was born March 19, 1904, at Biloxi. Married Dorothy "Dimples" Elizabeth Terry (1912-1968). Three children: H.M. Toche Jr.; Dorothy T. Fink (1938-2006) married Irvin Fink; and Mena O. Andrews. M. Marcellas Toche died April 3, 1985. Buried Southern Memorial Park at Biloxi.(The Sun Herald, March 17, 2006, p. A8)
Calvin Toche (1905-1984)-Born December 23, 1905, at Biloxi. Married Alma Leola Weldon (d. 3-18-1980) on June 15, 1930. Cavin Toche lived at Crockett, California where he was a boat builder at the Mare Island Naval Yard. Died on March 13, 1984. Buried at Biloxi Cemetery.(The Daily Herald, June 16, 1930, p. 2)
Tabitha Ione Toche James (1912-2014)-Married Richard E. James in August 1941. Three children. Died March 31, 2014 at Spring, Texas.(The Sun Herald, April 4, 2014)
Joseph A. Toche III (1917-)-Married Bernice Marie Thibodeaux in March 1944 at Biloxi. Three children: Joseph A. Toche.
The Toche Subdivision
Location: Sections 14 and 23, T7S-R8W
Platted on August 20, 1955, JXCO, Ms. Plat Book 2, p. 90 and November 25, 1955, Plat Book 2, p. 93.
Replatted-November 1956, Bk. 162, pp. 197-198.
The Toche Family (Catholic Records)
Mrs. Toche-died February 13, 1895.(SA)
Caroline Pauline Toche-born July 13, 1899. Father Joseph Toche, mother Olivia Ryan.(BVM)
John Adolphe Toche-born November 9, 1900. Father Joseph Toche, mother, Olevia Ryan.(BVM)
Joseph Toche married Angelina Labash (1878-1893+), the daughter of John Labash (1848-1915) and Adeline Labash (1857-1900+) on August 9, 1893.(BVM)
Lillie Elizabeth Toche-born March 5, 1897. Father, Joseph A. Toche, mother Sarah E. Daley.(BVM)
Mary Adele Toche-born February 26, 1870. Father Joseph Toche, mother Caroline Mathew (sic).(SA)
John C. Toche (Baptism 1828-1840)-CIC-Mobile.
Joseph A. Toche (Baptism 1847-1851)-CIC-Mobile.
The Toche Family (Social Security Death Index)
Alvin Toche (1916-1983)-born January 5, 1916, died April 1983. OS
Alvin Toche (1947-1984)-born October 20, 1947, died June 1984.
Doris Toche (1920-1989)-born October 23, 1920, died May 29, 1989. OS (Biloxi Cemetery)
Henry Toche (1904-1985)-born March 19, 1904, died April 1985. Biloxi
John Toche (1900-1988)-born November 9, 1900, died October 16, 1988. OS
John Toche (1926-1976)-born August 13, 1926, died August 1976. Biloxi
Joseph Toche (1937-1998)-born January 24, 1937, died March 15, 1998.
Mary Toche (1905-1977)-born June 3, 1905, died April 1977. OS
Mildred Toche (1929-1993)-born April 25, 1929, died August 14, 1993. Biloxi
Wesley Toche (1897-1971)-born November 23, 1897, died May 1971. Biloxi
William Toche (1932-1982)-born April 1, 1932, died May 1982. OS
Harrison County Marriages
Joseph Toche married Angelina LaBash on 8-9-1893.
Joseph Toche married Georgie Swing on 11-22-1895.
Mary Torche married Frank Tucker on 11-19-1893.
Margaret Mary Toche married James Albert Parker on November 24, 1973.
Bradford-O’Keefe Burial Books
Anita Toche (1906-1949)-born November 22,1906, the daughter of Jullian Sonnier and Amee’ Hebert. Died June 24, 1949. Bk. 0, p. 0.
Irma Toche (?-1929)-born ?. Died May 29, 1929. Bk. 15, p. 298.
Joseph A. Toche (1872-1960)-born August 27, 1872, the son of Joseph Toche and Caroline Mathieu. Died February 29, 1960. Bk. 42, p. 325.
Mary Toche (1856-1934)-born 1856, the daughter of Adner Gary and Martha McClendon. Died August 3, 1934. Bk. 21, p. 266.
Mary Olivia Toche (1902-1917)-born September 16, 1902, daughter of Joseph Toche and Mary Olivia Ryan. Died July 28, 1917. Bk. 7, p. 36.
Olivia Ryan Toche (1872-1953)-born November 29, 1872, the daughter of Calvin Ryan and Pauline Anderson. Died February 20, 1953. Bk. 35, p. 33.
William F. Toche (1857-1937)-born 1857, the son of Joseph P. Toche and Mary Anderson. Died November 18, 1937. Bk. 25, p. 163.
Evergreen Cemetery
THE TOCHE SHIPYARD
At the age of thirty-four, J. Adaulph Toche (1900-1988) commenced his own boatyard on the Biloxi Channel adjacent to the DeJean Packing Company. This is Grand Casino country to you recent arrivals. Here until 1955, he built wooden fishing boats for the Sekul, Mavar, Cruso, Dubaz, and Leckich and Fayard canneries. In 1937, Mr. Toche also constructed the Pan American Clipper, the Ship Island tour boat.
Annoyed with renting boat yard space at Biloxi and unable to purchase a suitable waterfront site, Adaulph Toche acquired 18.54 acres on Old Fort Bayou in Sections 14 and 23, T7S-R8W, for $10,500 from Stanford Williams in August 1955. Here with his sons, he commenced Toche Boat Builders and platted the Toche Subdivision. By the 1960s, the Toches called themselves Toche Enterprises, Inc. and were operating a hardware store, lumberyard, and variety center in addition to boat construction and repair.
The Toche family primarily built wooden vessels until after Hurricane Camille (1969), when steel-hulled fishing boats came into vogue. In fact the last ten vessels constructed at the facility before it closed in 1976, were ten, steel-hulled, refrigerated fishing boats for foreign investors. Five went to Korea and five to Venezuela.
After Jim Vickers acquired the Toche facility in 1976, it has had several owners, among them: Coastal Shipbuilding (1979-1983), and Galmer Inc. (1984-1985). Warren Strayham has owned the former Toche boatyard since December 1986, and currently leases it to Michael Toche, the grandson of Adaulph Toche. Michael Toche continues an almost one hundred year old family tradition-building quality, seaworthy vessels for world.
J. Adaulph Toche expired on October 16, 1988. His corporal remains were sent to the Biloxi Cemetery for burial.
Time Line
Location: 18. 54 acres + located on Old Fort Bayou in SE/4 of section 14 and the NE/4 of Section 23, T7S-R8W
1944
In June 1944, Florence Sauer of Wayne County, Michigan, the widow of Lorenz Sauer Jr., et al to Stanford and Jessie S. Williams.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 87, pp. 50-51)
1955
In August 1955, Stanford A. Williams to J. Adaulph Toche (1900-1988) two parcels for $10,500,(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 151, p. 332).
Parcel One-All of the SE/4,SE/4 of Section 14, T7S-R8W south of Old Fort Bayou.
Parcel Two-Irregular shaped tract in the NE/4 of Section 23, T7S-R8W, containing 18.957 acres bounded on the southeast by the OS-Vancleave road.
Toche Subdivision-platted on August 20, 1955, JXCO, Ms. Plat Book 2, p. 90 and November 25, 1955, Plat Book 2, p. 93.
1956
Toche Boat Builders and Repair Yard, Inc. chartered in Jackson County, Mississippi in June 1956. Four hundred shares of stock with a par value of $100 per share. Incorporators: John Adaulph Toche; Joseph Adaulph Toche; William Rogers Toche; and John Anthony Toche.(JXCO, Ms. Charter Bk. 3, pp. 93-98)
Captain Frank, a 56-foot Florida type shrimp boat was the first vessel built at the new Toche Boatyard in Ocean Springs.(The Daily Herald, February 25, 1959, p. s24)
Toche Subdivision replatted on November 5, 1956. Owners listed as: John Adolph Toche, John Anthony Toche, William Rogers Toche, Elsie Seymour Toche, Arlene Seymour Toche, Joseph Adolph Toche, Aline Ryan Toche, Pauline Toche Alfonso, and Walter T. Alfonso.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 162, pp. 197-198)
1958
In December 1958, Toche Boat Builders borrowed money from P.M. Bank.(JXCO, Ms. Deed of Trust Bk. 119, pp. 380-384).
John Duncan Moran of Jardel Inc. acquired for taxes in September 1958. Conveyed in September 1965 to J.A. Toche, John Anthony Toche, Joseph A. Toche, and William Rogers Toche.(Bk. 280, p. 334)
1959
Toche Boatyard on Old Fort Bayou in Ocean Springs was the only boatyard operating a Travel Lift. This dynamic hoist could lift vessels up to 50 tons and 80 feet in length and allowed the Toche yard to service up to 35 boats at one time.(The Daily Herald, February 25, 1959, p. 24)
1960s
Toche Enterprises, Inc. formed. Consisted of Toche Boat Builders, Toche Hardware, Toche Variety Center, and Toche Lumber & Supply Company.
1965
In September 1965, Jardel Inc. to J.A. Toche, John Anthony Toche, Joseph A. Toche, and William Rogers Toche.(Bk. 280, p. 334)
1968
1968 payroll was approximately $275,000 with about 80 employees (75% residents of Jxco).(letter march 17, 1969, to Eddie Khayat from William R. Toche Sr.)
1969
In March 1969, Toche Boat Builders had the following vessels under construction: ten steel shrimp trawlers; one steel lugger-type supply boat; 2 wooden shrimp trawlers; and one wooden party boat-Coast Guard approved. At this time, vice-president of the company, William Rogers Toche Sr., wrote an appeal to Edward Khayat, president of the JXCO, Mississippi Board of Supervisors to have the mouth of Old Fort Bayou and particular sections of the water course deepened to accommodate vessels with a draft of 10.5 to 11 feet. Toche indicated that larger vessels could be built on Old Fort Bayou and potential industries might develop here if a permanent marked channel was constructed.(letter dated March 17, 1969, to Eddie Khayat from William R. Toche Sr.)
1971
In July, Toche was completing the Misty Dawn, a 200 ton, 103-foot long clam boat, for a client on the Atlanic seaboard. This was the largest vessel that Toche had ever built. The yard has three shrimp boats under construction.(The Ocean Springs Record, July 8, 1971, p. 1)
1975
In July 1975, Toche Enterprises delivered five steel-hulled refrigerated fishing boats to the Venezuelan government. The vessels were 75-feet long and of 100 tons displacement. A Swedish consultant, Captain Sten Sylvander, hired by the Venezuelans lauded the Toche boats as “the best fishing boats ever bought by Venezuela.”(The Daily Herald, July 23, 1975, p. B-!)
1978
Jim Vickers running Toche Industries. The company had been in bankruptcy court, since April 1978. In the summer of 1978, Vickers defied an order by the US Corps of Engineers to cease and desist from dredging Old Fort Bayou in order to launch, Lady Elda, a 121-foot vessel. He defied the Corps order and pulled the boat through the bayou, which caused environmental damage. Vickers also dumped the spoil on the banks of the pristine stream. He was fined for his actions. Avondale Shipyard of New Orleans sued Toche Industries for payment of $606,000 for materials that it had furnished Vickers. The Wholesale Supply Company also sued in the amount of $34,890 for unsatisfied liens on four boats under construction at the boatyard. Toche was never fined by the Corps of Engineers.(The Ocean Springs Record, September 14, 1978, p. 3 and October 26, 1978, p. 1)
1979
Bankruptcy judge sold Toche Industries to Coastal Shipbuilding in March 1979, for $611,000.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 643, p. 284)
1983
In October 1983, Albert Prevot of Coastal Shipbuilding to 1st Mississippi National Bank for $450,000.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 774, p. 452)
1984
In May 1984, 1st Mississippi National Bank to Galmer Inc.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 791, p. 327)
1985
In April 1985, Trustee to 1st Mississippi National Bank for $400,000.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 821, p. 518)
1986
In December 1986, 1st Mississippi National Bank to Warren L. Strayham et ux.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 875, p. 436)
1994
In November 1994, Special Commissioner’s Deed to Warren L. Strayham on Lots 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32.(JXCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 1052, pp. 300-301).
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, "Toche Boat Builders operate only Travel Lift on Gulf Coast", February 25, 1959, p. s24.
The Daily Herald, Purchase of fishing vessels may open relations with Venezuela”, July 23, 1975.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Toche (Vickers) Industries in Bankruptcy Court”, September 14, 1978.
The Ocean Springs Record, “Toche never fined by Corps of Engineers", October 26, 1978, p. 1.