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.
From Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910)
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 Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.