Background
Tonnele was born in New York City to John Tonnele (d 1846), senior partner at New York wool merchant Tonnele & Hall, and his wife Rebecca (née Waterbury), daughter of General David How Waterbury, Junior. of Stamford, Connecticut.
Tonnele was born in New York City to John Tonnele (d 1846), senior partner at New York wool merchant Tonnele & Hall, and his wife Rebecca (née Waterbury), daughter of General David How Waterbury, Junior. of Stamford, Connecticut.
He relocated to New Jersey in 1835 and purchased a large tract of land near Hudson City. He served three terms on the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1844, 1846 and 1847. Tonnele represented Hudson County in the New Jersey Senate for one term from 1848 to 1849.
Tonnele died on November 26, 1852.
He is recalled in the namesake Tonnelle Avenue and Tonnele Circle.