The Johnson Families of Lafayette County, Missouri

WILLIAM T. JOHNSON.

One of the prominent citizens of the county, who has been for many years identified with the stock business, which is of great importance in a stock-raising county like this and very serviceable to the community, Mr. Johnson is thoroughly an expert in his line, and has found his occupation very remunerative.

William T. Johnson was born in Clay township, Lafayette county, Missouri, June 21, 1864, son of Wesley Johnson, a native of Virginia and Sarah (Snyder) Johnson, of Missouri, who were married in 1855, came to Lafayette county, settling in Clay township, where she died in 1872. Mr. Johnson remained in Clay township until the fall of 1876, when he sold the farm and purchased another near Dover, remaining there until 1889, when he moved to Johnson county, Missouri, removing from there to his present home in Odessa in 1907. They were the parents of nine children who grew to maturity: Alice, wife of R. H. Benton, of Higginsville; Carrie, wife of P. H. Roberts, of Chilhowee, Johnson county, Missouri; Nannie, wife of J. J. Beals, of New Mexico; Charles died at Odessa, at the age of forty-three years; William T.; Washington E., of Higginsville; Walter, of Odessa; Lena died at the age of sixteen years; and Nellie, wife of J. A. Dennis, of Odessa.

William T. Johnson remained on the farm until the age of nineteen years when he left home, his father giving him a horse and saddle and seventy-five dollars in cash. In the fall of 1882 he went to Hickory county, Missouri, and began dealing in stock, remaining there seven years. In 1889 he went to Johnson county and farmer for one year, then returned to Clay township, this county, farming here two years. In August, 1892, he removed to Wellington, Missouri, and was engaged in the livery and stock business there for twelve years, and during about one year of this time was engaged in contract work for the Missouri Pacific railroad between Wellington and Independence. During the Spanish-American war he took a sub-contract to furnish mules and horses to the government. In 1904 he came to Odessa and engaged in farming and mule raising and buying. He owns four hundred and forty acres close to Odessa and eight hundred acres in Gore county, Kansas. In 1904 he erected one of the finest and most modern residences in Odessa.

Mr. Johnson was married in Hickory county, Missouri, June 7, 1885, to Fannie E. Wright, who was born in that county in 1867, the daughter of L. B. and Eliza E. Wright, natives of Illinois, who came to Odessa in 1907. Two children have been born to this union, Wesley B. and Ethel Elizabeth. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter are active workers in the Methodist church South.

Mr. Johnson takes much interest in all affairs of public interest. He was several terms city marshal of Wellington, and deputy constable for two or three years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Without question, he ranks among the successful men of the county and state.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CLAUD W. JOHNSON, D. D. S.

The march of improvement is accelerated day by day and each successive moment seems to demand of men broader intelligence and a greater discernment than did the preceding, showing that successful men, both in the trades and profession, in fact, all lines of business, must be live men in this age, bristling with activity. The purpose of biography is to preserve the lives of such men for the edification of succeeding generations; thus the lessons of biography may be far-reaching to an extent not superficially evident. A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or fields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success.

While yet young in years, Doctor Claud W. Johnson, of Lexington, Lafayette county, has demonstrated the ability to succeed in one of the most useful professions — dentistry. He is a native of this community, having been born east of Lexington, August 27, 1884, and is the son of one of the old and highly honored families, his parents being George and Virginia P. (White) Johnson. The father was also born east of Lexington, on January 31, 1850, and is the son of John and Mary Johnson. John Johnson was a native of Virginia and came to Missouri when a young man, and settled here when the country was comparatively new, consequently the Johnson family has been well known in this county from the early days to the present. He was a farmer and stock man. and politically he was a Democrat. George W. Johnson was also a farmer and a Democrat and a member of the Christian church. He led a quiet home life and was successful in his life work. His death occurred in 1902. He married Virginia P. White in 1870. She is still living at the old home place.

Dr. Claud W. Johnson grew to maturity on the home place and assisted with the general farm work, attending the common schools during the winter months. He made a splendid record in the dental department of Washington University, at St. Louis, in 1907. He soon thereafter opened an office in Kansas City and remained there one year, then came to Lexington, where he has since remained and now enjoys a very satisfactory patronage, which is still growing.

Doctor Johnson was married on May 12, 1909, to Vera Delhart, a native of Lawson, Ray county, where her people are well known and influential.

Politically the Doctor is a Democrat and is a member of the Christian church, and fraternally he is a Mason and belongs also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Not only are Missouri's farms producers of grain and stock, those articles which have placed her among the first American farming states, but they produce a nobler crop than these, — a crop of men and women of strong and sturdy character, honest, fearless and upright, who have been reared away from the city's artificialities and are physically, mentally and morally equipped to cope with the vicissitudes of life with but little danger of falling by the way.

Louis Johnson was born in Germany, December 31, 1867, son of Alfred and Mary (Iches) Johnson. His grandfather was a furniture maker in Germany. His father came to Lafayette county in 1890, and died there in 1893. His mother died in Germany in 1877 and his father was married a second time to Miss Balklage, who lives with her family in the state of Washington.

Louis Johnson came to New York City in 1884, at the age of sixteen, remained four months, then came to Concordia, Lafayette county, Missouri, and worked by the month. The year 1886 he spent in Kansas. He was saving by disposition and accumulated a little money while working out. After his marriage he rented for three years, then in 1892 he bought ninety-six acres in Washington township, and now has one hundred and seventy-five acres there. This land he has greatly improved, has it now in a high state of fertility and fully supplied with substantial buildings.

In October, 1887, Mr. Johnson was married to Minnie Hader, daughter of Henry Hader, of Higginsville. His married life has been pleasant and has been blessed by the birth of six children: Ida, Herbert, Benjamin, Edna, Aline and Martha. Mr. Johnson and family are members of the Baptist church. He votes the Republican ticket. He is not a man who wants to make a stir in doing things, but goes about his business quietly and by careful attention to it has made a comfortable living. Likewise he has gained the respect of his neighbors and is a man whose acquaintance is well worth cultivating.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

W. P. JOHNSON, dentist, P. O., Odessa. Is a native of Wheeling, West Virginia; was born March 1, 1845. Was educated at Wheeling. October 1, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixth West Virginia infantry, of C. S. A., under Col. Wilkerson. He enlisted as private, and when mustered out, June 10, 1865, bore the rank of first lieutenant. Engaged in the battles of Laurel Hill, Winchester, Woodstock, Bulltown, and Rumney. He began the practice of dentistry, at Columbus, Indiana, in 1870. He remained here for six years, and then went to Olney, Illinois, where he resided for one year; going from there to Holden, Missouri, continuing his practice. In 1878, he came to Odessa, where he,has since resided, engaged in a lucrative practice of his profession. October 14, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Varner, of this county, a very intelligent and estimable lady. Dr. Johnson is a member of Knights of Pythias, and a whole-souled, genial gentleman.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MISS LUCY JOHNSON, milliner, P. O. Concordia, was born in California, Mo. At an early age she went with her mother to Warrensburg, Mo., where she was educated, graduating with the highest honors at the State Normal school of that place. While living in Franklin county she devoted the most of her time and attention to teaching. She was engaged in the schools of Warrensburg, Knob Noster and Holden. In 1879, being a practical milliner, she came to Concordia and opened a millinery establishment, in which she has a fine stock of goods and is having quite a lucrative trade. Miss Johnson is modest and unassuming in her demeanor, intelligent and of good social qualities, and is eminently deserving of the respect and liberal patronage accorded her by the community at large.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.