My Genealogy Hound

F. M. Johnson, a pioneer of Moniteau County, Mo., was born in Cole County (now Moniteau), March 9, 1831, his parents being Snelling and Prudence (Hackney) Johnson, who were born in Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. The father was reared in his native State, and was a Baptist minister. In 1819, while still unmarried, he immigrated to Missouri, and located in what is now Moniteau County, and was engaged in farming on a fertile tract of land near the Missouri River. In 1829 he engaged in his ministerial labors, and was ordained by Rev. J. B. Longan. During his labors he organized many churches, baptized hundreds of persons and married many couples. When preaching his sermons, which were very able for his day, he wore a leather hunting-coat and buckskin trousers. His death occurred in December, 1856. He and wife were the parents of seven children who grew to maturity: William P., Francis M., Elizabeth, wife of John M. Howard; Isaiah V., John C., Alpha A., wife of J. D. Howard, and Jessie G. The maternal grandparents came to Missouri about the same time as Mr. Johnson, and were engaged in farming in Moniteau and McDonald Counties, and died in the latter county. Francis M. Johnson, our subject, was educated in a little log school-house, the teacher’s salary being paid by subscription. He has always been engaged in farming, and has had to undergo many hardships, for when he first started in life for himself the country was in a very wild and unsettled condition. He now owns 138 acres of land. He has been deputy assessor two terms, and took the census for one district in 1880. In 1853 he wedded Jane Huff, a daughter of Noah and Hettie (Cooper) Huff, who were early settlers of Moniteau County. The father died May 30, 1888, and his widow resides with Mr. Johnson. The latter and his wife are the parents of four children: Artemesia T., wife of J. M. Acres; Mary E., wife of M. E. Wood; Misanirie, wife of J. B. Hodge, and Ferdilla C. The family are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a Mason and a member of the Agricultural Wheel.