The Van Leu-Johnson family papers document Kansan George T. Johnson's family through his mother's side (the Van Leu's), including papers regarding John Henry Van Leu and Wendell H. Van Leu.

Native Kansan Willard Johnson, Sr, was born near Leavenworth, Kansas and became a leading bacteriologist. His son, Willard Johnson, Jr., became a professor of political science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The collection includes records and manuscripts of several Johnson family members.