From: Pool, William, Landmarks of Niagara County, New York. Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co., 1897, page 159.

Johnson, Jay K., was born in Wilson, N.Y., in December, 1841, a son of Richard and grandson of Henry Johnson. Henry Johnson was born in New York State and early in life moved to Ohio and in 1824 came to the village of Wilson, where he worked at the blacksmith business for Luther Wilson, doing iron work on a grist mill. His wife died in 1864, and he spent some time in Michigan, where he died in 1871 and was buried in Wilson. Richard Johnson was born in Ohio and when twelve years of age moved to Wilson, N.Y. with his parents, where he learned the blacksmith’s trade; he died in 1885. His wife, Laura (Cole) Johnson was born in Canada… Jay K. Johnson was educated in Wilson Collegiate Institute, and worked at his trade, that of a blacksmith, from 1860 to 1895. July 4, 1870, he married Alphoretta Tower; she died August 8, 1871, and October 30, 1874, he married Eliza A. Carver, and they had four children: Arthur, Leon, Cole and Roy (deceased)… He is a Democrat and was elected justice of the peace in 1896, being the only Democrat ever elected to that office in town.

1850 New York, Niagara County, Wilson, page 513, stamped 1625 (31 July 1850), film M432-561
dwelling 531, family 541
Richard Johnson, age 39, male, blacksmith, $400, born New York
Larry?------------, age 34, female, born New York [Laura]
James H.--------, age 10, male, born New York
Jay K.------------, age 8, male, born New York
Perry V.D.-------, age 6, male, born New York
Orrin E.----------, age 1, male, born New York

1860 New York, Niagara County, Wilson, p. 10
dwelling 87, family 80
Richard Johnson, age 48, male, blacksmith, real estate $800, personal $500, born New York
Laura -------------, age 44, female, born New York
James H.---------, age 20, male, student, born New York
Jay K.-------------, age 18, male, apprentice, born New York
Perry V. D.,------, age 16, male, born New York
Orrin E.-----------, age 12, male, born New York
Orange A.--------, age 7, male, born New York

1865 New York State Census, Niagara County, First Election District of the Town of Wilson, p.46, taken 29 June 1865
dwelling 77, frame, value $400, family 72
Richard Johnson, age 53, male, head, born Ulster Co., married once, blacksmith
Laura Johnson, age 49, female, wife, born Niagara County, mother of 5 children
Jay K., Johnson, age 23, male, child, born Niagara County, single, blacksmith
Perry V D. Johnson, age 20, male, child, born Niagara County, single, in the Army
Eugene Johnson, age 17, male, child, born Niagara County, single, in the Army
Orange Albers Johnson, age 12, male, child, born Niagara County, single
Henry Johnson, age 73, male, father, born Ulster County, was married once, now widowed, blacksmith

1870 New York, Niagara County, Town of Wilson, p. 63
dwelling 529, family 536
Johnson, Richard, age 58, male, white, blacksmith, real estate $2000, personal $700, born New York
----------, Laura, age 55, female, white, keeping house, born New York
----------, Jay K., age 29, male, white, blacksmith, born New York
----------, Dallas, age 26, male, white, cooper, born New York
----------, Eugene, age 21, male, white, farm laborer, born New York
----------, Albert, age 17, male, white, work in stone mill, born New York
----------, Sarah, age 21, female, white, born Canada

1875 New York State Census, Niagara County, Town of Wilson, p. 57
dwelling 563, frame, value $1500, family 565
Richard Johnson, age 63, male, head, born in Tompkins County, married, blacksmith
Loria Johnson, age 59, female, wife, born Niagara County, married
Jay K. Johnson, age 33, male, son, born Niagara County, married, blacksmith
Eliza Johnson, age 26, female, daughter-in-law, born Niagara County, married
Ida M. Eagon, age 3, female, step granddaughter, born Niagara County, single
Orange A., Johnson, age 32, male, son, born Niagara County, single, painter

1880 New York, Niagara County, Town of Wilson, E.D. 194, sheet 33A, stamped page 406
Mechanic, dwelling 133, family 140
Johnson, Jay K., white, male, age 38, head, married, blacksmith, born New York, father born Ohio, mother born New York
----------, Eliza, white, female, age 29, wife, married, keeping house, born New York, parents born New York
----------, Arthur, white, male, age 4, son, single, at school, born New York, parents born New York
----------, Leon, white, male, age 1, son, single, born New York, parents born New York

1900 New York, Niagara County, Wilson Township, E.D. 94, sheet 4B
McChesney, dwelling 196, family 110
Johnson, Jay K., head, white, male, Dec 1841, age 59, married for 26 years, born New York, parents born New York, blacksmith
----------, Arthur, son, white, male, Apr 1876, age 24, single, born New York, parents born New York, barber
----------, Leon, son, white, male, Jan 1879, age 21, single, born New York, parents born New York, barber
----------, Colie, son, white, male, June 1882, age 17, single, born New York, parents born New York
----------, Eliza A., wife, white, female, Aug 1849, age 50, married for 26 years, mother of 5 children, 3 living, born New York, parents born New York

1910 New York, Niagara County, Newfane Township, E.D. 94, sheet 10A, stamped page 51
Creek Road, dwelling 236, family 242
Johnson, Jay K., head, male, white, age 68, widower, born New York, parents born New York, blacksmith
----------, Cole, son, male, white, age 27, single, born New York, parents born New York, laborer

————————————————deceased

5 August 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 129th Infantry, and was transferred to the 8th NY Heavy Artillery and served until wounded, 3 June 1864 at Cold Harbor; he was discharged 16 November 1864. He was promoted to corporal and after the battle of Cold Harbor was promoted to second lieutenant, but was not mustered owing to the fact of his being unable to return. Member of Peter A. Porter Post No. 126, G.A.R.