Johnson and Jane Elizabeth Mounsey arrived from Penrith, England in May
      1889, with their eleven children and one grandchild, after a long six
      weeks boat trip followed by a long railroad trip to their destination of
      Medicine Lodge, Kansas. One of the first comments made by Jane upon seeing
      the span of mules pulling the wagon which had come to meet them on this
      particularly windy, dusty day "Why, they have sent the camels to get us!"
        Simon Roe Willan coming from Brough, England also settled in the Medicine
      Lodge area. Like many of the Englishman of this area, he came to work for
      Mary Best. After working for her awhile, he launched out on his own in a
      farming operation southwest of town.
        Ada Mounsey and Simon Willan began courting and were later married,
      settling on Simon's farm.
        Simon was a typical proud Englishman who, besides running his farming
      operation, was very active in the local Methodist Church. Many people
      remember him as a man who could pray the longest and most eloquent prayers -
      sometimes as long as thirty minutes - much to the dismay of the young
      people. He also was an active member of the gospel team who held services
      at many of the small churches in the Medicine Lodge area, as far away as
      Hazelton and Union Chapel.
        Ada Mounsey Willan of English descent, retained many English traditions.
      She was well known by all the harves and silo crews, who helped on the
      Willan farm, for her delicious meals, especially the rich flaky pies and
      yeast breads which accompanied every meal. She was apt with most any type
      of handwork, especially crocheting of which she made many doilies, table-
      clothes and bedspreads. Three o'clock every afternoon was always tea time -
      even a lunch was sent out to the men working in the field. All harvest and
      silo crews especially enjoyed this tradition.
        Sunday in the Willan household was special, as no work was done except
      the necessary chores. The cooking for Sunday was all done on Saturday
      except for last minute preparations. Church was attended regularly followed
      by relaxing and visiting with friends, neighbors and relatives.
        To this union of marriage was born John Johnson Willan on December 16th,
      1907, and Mary Elizabeth on September 28th 1909. Mary died March 14, 1972
      in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
        John Willan married Elsie Ella Coppock from Oklahoma and farmed his
      father's farm. John moved to Barons Alberta, Canada in 1951. Barbara Lee
      Willan who married Douglas Eugene Dale from Lakin, Kansas, and Laura Ann
      Willan who married John E. Johnson are children of John and Elsie. Mary
      Willan married Paul E. Kimball and moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, later
      to Albuquerque. Gene, Jim and Jack Kimball are their children.
        Many traditions carried down through the generations are still being
      followed in the homes of the descendants of the Mounsey and Willan families.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 488 
     Submitted by: Laura Ann Willan Johnson