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 1845
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)
JOHN T. WILLIAMS.
Mr. Williams was born in Marion, Ohio, March 25, 1845. At sixteen years old he was appointed ticket and freight agent on the Missouri Pacific R. R. at AUenton, Mo., and has been in the employ of same road ever since, the St. L. & S. F. R. R. being then under same management as Mo. Pacific. He remained at Allenton two years, when he was transferred to the general freight office at St. Louis. In 1876 he came to North Springfield and his present engagement is that of book-keeper for the bridge-building, and fuel departments of the road. He is also city clerk of North Springfield, and has held that position ever since the city received its charter. November-5, 1866, he married Miss Elomise Desmoulin of St. Louis. They have three living children — Maud B., Walter J., and an unnamed infant.
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.
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.