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 1840
From History of Greene county, Missouri, ... including a history of its township, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ... biographical sketches and portraits of prominent cit (1883)
J. N. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams is the son of John R. Wiilliams, who came to this county about 1883, and was born here in October, 1840. He lived in Dade county, Missouri, from 1852 to 1856, and then removed to Barry county. He returned to Greene county in 1860, and in 1861 enlisted in the 8th Missouri volunteers, U. S. A., under Col. W. F. Geiger, and served about one year. He was a non-commissioned officer of company K. He was disabled and discharged. Since coming to Springfield, he has been actively engaged in business, and for the last twelve years has been in the produce business, most of the time with J. M. Garrett, and still remains at the old stand with A. Koenigsbruck. Mr. Williams was married March 19, 1865, to Miss Matilda P., daughter of Junius M. Rountree, one of the most prominent citizens of this county. Their union is blessed with five children, three boys and two girls.
As printed in History of Greene county, Missouri, ... including a history of its township, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ... biographical sketches and portraits of prominent cit (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John R. (b. 1854)
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.