In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1852, Blount county
From The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominen (1883)
B. W. JOHNSON, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Bower's Mills, was born in Blount county, Tenn., Jan. 15, 1852. His parents, W. T. and C. J. Johnson, were also natives of Tennessee. Subject was reared on a farm and attended the common schools. [He finished his education in Ewing and Jefferson colleges, Blount county, and Laurel Hill Academy. In May, 1875, he went to Texas and engaged in shipping cattle for a time from Texas to St. Louis. He came to Missouri in July, 1875, locating in Lawrence county, where he engaged in feeding and shipping stock; then came to his present location in February, 1879, and has since been engaged in farming and handling stock. He has a farm consisting of 240 acres, 185 in good cultivation, well fenced, excellently watered, etc. He has a fine dwelling, and though a young man, is counted one of the most worthy and successful farmers of Sarcoxie township.
As printed in The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.