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 1809, Scott county
From History of Boone County, Missouri (1882)
JAMES E. JOHNSON.
James E. Johnson, son of William and Elizabeth (Entrekin) Johnson, was born in Scott county, Kentucky, January 26, 1809. He was educated at the common schools of the county. At the age of eighteen he entered an apprentice under Job Stevenson to learn the saddle and harness maker's trade. Aftr finishing his trade he came to Boone county, Missouri, October 22, 1833. The year following he worked for George Harrison at Franklin, Howard county, Missouri. Coming back to Columbia, he was employed to work in James Richardson's shop and continued with him for eight years. In the summer of 1841 he started a shop of his own, and has worked continuously at his trade ever since, except a portion of the year 1850, spent in California. At the breaking out of the war he owned several slaves. Their loss proved a severe blow to him financially. Mr. Johnson was married, December 2, 1841, to Miss Sallie, daughter of Judge Alexander and Ann (Simpson) Persinger. Six children were born of this marriage, three sons and three daughters. Mrs. Johnson died August 27, 1870, and is buried in the Columbia cemetery. Mr. Johnson has an excellent business, and by industry and good management he has succeeded in accumulating considerable property, mostly real estate, situated in Columbia. He is a member of the Christian church. His children are also members of the same church.
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.