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Johnson Family Records (Rock Falls), 1877-1978

Collection Overview

Title: Johnson Family Records (Rock Falls), 1877-1978

ID: RHC/RC/100

Extent: 2.25 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 06/23/1980

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Johnson Family Records document various Johnson family enterprises from 1877-1978.  The bulk of this collection documents the business affairs of the Bernhard Johnson Mill and the Johnson family farm and trace the development and inter-relationship of these two agribusinesses.  The daybooks, cash books, ledgers, and contract books contain a variety of interfiled information such as detailed records of farm and mill laborers (1894-1940); wholesale commodity prices; railroad freight charges; the day to day expenses of the Johnson family.  Family correspondence (1920-1924) provides insights into the concerns of farm families during the early 1920’s with discussions on the state of the agricultural economy and family finances.

Researchers should note that Box #1, File Folder #2, pages 597-599 provides a list of grocers and feed stores located in Whiteside, Lee, and southern Ogle and DeKalb Counties (December 1903).

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Use Restrictions: Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Source: Mrs. Elma Arndt

Acquisition Method: Mrs. Elma Arndt, daughter of Mr. Fred Johnson, donated the Johnson Family Records to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on June 23, 1980

Related Materials: Related holdings of the Regional History Center include the Taylor Farm Collection (RC 37), the H. H. Parke Collection (RC 43), the H. W. Colwill Collection (RC 47), and the Norris Family Collection (RC 74).

Other Note: Researchers should note that Box #1, File Folder #2, pages 597-599 provides a list of grocers and feed stores located in Whiteside, Lee, and southern Ogle and DeKalb Counties (December 1903).


Box and Folder Listing

Box 1
Folder 1: Farm History, 1978
Folder 2: Legal Documents (Copies), 1877-1957
Folder 3-7: Family Correspondence, 1920-1924
Folder 8-9: Contract Books, 1894-1940
Box 2
Folder 1: Day Books, 1903-1904
Folder 2-3: Ledgers, 1894-1967
Folder 4-5: Journals, 1903-1940
Box 3
Folder 1: Letter Press Book, 1903-1908
Folder 2-4: Day Books, 1903-1967
Folder 5: Aerial Photographs of the Farm (2), 1975