SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: GARST, JOHNSON, MAXWELL, PRYME, VAN NESS

JACOB JOHNSON, who in partnership with Mr. J. J. Bogardus has been extensively engaged in the broom corn business at Champaign since 1860, is a native of New York, and was born in Rensellear County, at Schodac, on August 30, 1826. His ancestors were residents of that part of New York from an early period. On the old homestead along the Hudson river where Mr. Johnson was born his forefathers had lived for five generations, and were connected with the early Holland Dutch settlers of that country. His father's name was Robert JOHNSON, and his mother Catharine(VAN NESS) Johnson, who was born and raised in Rensellear County, and was also a descendant of the old Dutch settlers of New York. He received his education in the common schools and at Nassau Academy. He was married Oct. 1848 to Esther PRYME, who was born at Schenectady, N. Y., and was living in Montgomery County at the time of her marriage. Immediately after his marriage he embarked in the broom corn business at Schenectady and followed it for five years at that place. In 1858 he came west and settled in Boone county, Cherry Valley. He was carrying on the broom corn business at that point, and there made the acquaintance of J. J. Bogardus, and the two determined to come to Champaign and engage in the same business. In the spring of 1860 they arrived at Champaign, and have since carried on a large and successful business, shipping their product to Chicago and other cities. He has five children, Kate, now the wife of George L. MAXWELL, resident of Champaign, Lizzie, wife of Warren GARST, and now living in Carroll Co., Iowa, Etta, Ada and Ralph living at home. Mr. Johnson is identified with the Republican party, and is known as a capable business man, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the community.