(from a lengthy 1935 letter, from Zwaantje to daughter Ruth, recollecting many past days) "When Ben Jansen was still at Freeport hospital, he wrote me, your home in Forreston was a wonderful home to me, something about our parents--they were much loved by everybody. Christena and I spoke of it a few ago. She made her home with us for a while in 1903. And the good times we had, the jolly times in my sewing room. When busy time came such as graduations of school we used to have to stay up late--sew evenings till 11:00 when lights went out. The clerks boys from town would sometimes come, bring ice cream, cookies, one of the girls would serve, while the rest kept busy sewing. We often had 20--at one time 32 dresses in and oh, the fuss & so little money for it."
Johnson Home, Forreston
"Precious Memories: Always a House Full of Company"
(from the obituary of Zwaantje Johnson Holtzman) "The home of her parents, along the railroad tracks in Forreston, was a mecca for travelers including many students and ministers traveling to and from North Central College at Naperville. She continued the "open door" practice throughout her life. There was always a place for the extra plate and room for another to spend the night."
Back of Photo to Left: "How folks did love to come to Johnson's, my old home in Forreston, where we lived 27 years, September, 1877-March, 1904. Left March, 1904. Folks went to Parkersburg, Iowa same time. Where did we put them I now wonder."
