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 1824, Cooper County
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
J. K. JOHNSON, farmer and stock raiser, section 35, post-office St. Joseph, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, January 31st, 1824. He has followed farming all his life. Was married February 27th, 1845, to Mary E. Stephens, a native of Kentucky. She was born January 20th, 1823, and they had nine children; Sarah Ellen, born December 15th, 1845, died June, 1848; William D., born February 6th, 1847; Elijah A., born September ist, 1848; Mattie A., born September 26th, 1850; Mary A., born April 2nd, 1853; Samuel, born January 15th, 1855; Nancy, born December 19th, 1856; John F., born January 12th, 1860; Emma B., born June 26th, 1864. Three are married. He has lived in Buchanan County since March ist, 1845. By industry he has saved 160 acres of land, which is mostly under fence and in good state of cultivation; has six acres of orchard and two fine never-failing springs. He was a defender of his country by being a member of the Pawpaw militia. He is a member of the old Hard Shell Baptist Church, and has been School Director for years. His father, Samuel Johnson, was born July 18, 1796, and was one of the first Territorial Judges. It was he that proposed and named Andrew County.
As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.