Mrs. Geske Margaret Johnson, an esteemed resident of
Staunton township, is the widow of Jacob Johnson, who was for many years one
of the most prosperous and substantial farmers of Macoupin County. He was
born in Hanover, Germany, February 1, 1833, and was a son of Tony and Sophia
Johnson.
Jacob Johnson came to America when 24 years of age in
company with his parents, first locating at New Orleans and later removing
to Alton, Illinois, where he remained one winter and then located in
Staunton township, Macoupin County, on the farm where our subject lives,
where he spent the remaining years of his life. Mr. Johnson started with a
farm of 40 acres and at the time of his death he left 640 acres, all of
which is in Macoupin and Montgomery counties, Illinois. Mr. Johnson was a
member of the Republican party and held several township offices. He died
January 5, 1892. While in his native country, he was a member of the
Lutheran Church but after coming to America he became a member of the
Methodist Church.
On March 15, 1861, Mr. Johnson was married to
Geske Margaret Eckhoff, who was born in Hanover, Germany, April 17, 1838.
Mrs. Johnson came to America alone on a sailing craft in October,, 1858,
landing at New Orleans after a voyage of nine weeks. She then came direct to
Macoupin County and has resided here ever since. She is a daughter of
Stillahn and Tolke Margaret (Albers) Eckhoff, being one of a family of seven
children, two girls and five boys; three of the five boys came to America —
John, Albert and George. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had 10 children, of whom eight
are still living, namely: Sophia, who married Eilert Englemann, of Raymond,
Illinois, and has four children living; Meta, who married William Egelhoflf,
a resident of Raymond, Illinois and has six boys; Henry, residing on the
farm adjoining the farm of his mother, who is married and has one girl;
Lena, who is the wife of Otto Adden, of Raymond, Illinois; John, who resides
with his mother and runs the farm; Gesna, who married Louis Brackenbush of
Staunton township, Macoupin County, and has one child; Albert (single)' and
Emma, who live at home.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 414-417.
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