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 1807, Columbiana county
From History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (1883)
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, (deceased); was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 20, 1807, where he spent his early life, and married Susannah Concle, in December, 1830; she also being a native of that county. They came to Johnson county, Iowa, and settled on section six, in Oxford township, in 1844, where Mr. Williams died August 19, 1855, leaving seven children, viz.: Jesse, now in California; Peter, now in Oxford; Tanner, now Mrs. Wallace; Josephine, now Mrs. Mahoney; Lue, still at home; Mary, now Mrs. Morland, and Mattie, now Mrs. Merritt. Josephine was married December 24, 1865, to Jerry Mahoney, a native of Ireland; he dying December 20, 1873, leaving four children, viz.: Mary E., Kitty, John M. and Susan. She is now living on her farm in section thirty-one.
As printed in History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. Together with biographical sketches .. (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.