JOHN D. JANSEN
John D. Jansen was born in Nord Ostfriesland, Germany, June 11, 1845, the son of Dietrich and Addie (Jacobs) Jansen, both of whom were natives of Germany. The grandparents of Mr. Jansen on the paternal side were Dietrich and Anna (Steen) Jansen, and on the maternal side John and Theresa (Wineberg) Jacobs, all of whom were Germans by residence and nativity. At the age of twenty-two young Jansen decided to emigrate to the United States, and upon arriving in this country located in Peoria, where he, remained six months when he removed to Pekin. Here he learned the bricklaying trade, at which he worked for a couple of years and then, in connection with Thomas Snyder, engaged in general contracting and mason work and the manufacture of brick and tile, continuing this partnership until 1896. Then, having bought the interest of his partner, he continued the business alone until 1894, when he became associated with Mr. Charles Zoeller as an equal partner. In 1891 a company was organized and Mr. Jansen’s son, Dietrich, who is a civil engineer and holds the responsible position of City Engineer of Pekin, was admitted to the concern as an equal partner. In his social relations Mr. Jansen is a member of the Masonic order, religiously is affiliated with the German Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics is a Republican. The marriage of Mr. Jansen took place in Pekin in 1869, when he was united to Miss Anna Steen, who was born May 8, 1844. Of this union five children were born: Addie, Dietrich H., Lena, Anna and Theresa.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 1030