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 1834, Boone county
From History of Boone County, Missouri (1882)
FRANCIS MARION JOHNSON.
Francis M. Johnson is the son of Samuel and Margaret Johnsoo; he was born in Boone county, Missouri, June 8, 1834, on the old homestead settled and owned by his father, one mile north of where tin subject of this sketch now lives. The old house is still standing m the Hinkson. Mr. Johnson wa? raised and educated in Boone county; he was first married in May, 1858, his wife dying in the month of Juuary following. March 22, 1864, he was again married, this time to Miss Bettie, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Cox. Bj this marriage they had eight children — two sons and six daughters: Maggie, born January 10, 1866; Mary E., born June 12, 1867; William T., born May 29, 1869; Frank L., born November 18, 1872; Minnie D., born April 26, 1875; Mattie E., born April 8, 1877; Aii. iia B., born February 5, 1879, and Bertha 6., born January 17, 188S. Mr. Johnson spent one year in California, returning to Boone coun in 1850; farmer for two years, then erected a saw-mill, devoting fbar years to this business; then, in partnership with a man named Parker, bought a herd of 1,400 sheep, which they took to Texsis. Returning, he formed a partnership with Mr. Hickman for building and operating a steam grist mill near Stephens station; was connected with this business for five years. In 1870 he traded his interest in the millard a farm near Stephens station to Robert Smith for the farm which he (Mr. Johnson) now occupies, consisting of 370 acres, three milw northeast of Columbia, on the Mexico and Columbia road. There is a fine coal mine on this place, the vein being three and one-half feet in thickness, and of excellent quality. The farm is mostly in grass, and is well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Christian church at Antioch. Mr. Johnson's father came to Boone county in 1824; he was a native of Scott county, Kentucky; he died in 1868, and is buried at the old Hinkson Baptist church. Mrs. Johnson died in 1835 — about one year after the birth of Francis M.— and was buried at the same place.
As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.