My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

James L. Johnson, prosecuting attorney of Pulaski County, Mo., and native of the same, was born in 1854, and is a son of David and Rebecca (Bates) Johnson. The former was born in the State of Kentucky about 1823, and when a boy was brought to Pulaski County, Mo., by his father, John Johnson, who settled about two miles north of the county seat. In 1850 he took the gold fever, and went to California by the overland route, and after remaining in that State for two years returned to Pulaski County, and the following year was married. His death occurred in 1863. His wife was born in Tennessee about 1825, and died in 1862. They were the parents of four children, James L. being the only one now living. He was quite small when his parents died, and he was taken to rear by Solomon Bartlett, with whom he remained seven years. His days were spent in working in a saw and grist mill, and attending the common schools during the winter seasons. He was very desirous of obtaining an education, and during 1872-73 attended school at Richland, and in 1874-75 attended the School of Mines at Rolla. He became a disciple of Blackstone in the latter year, his preceptor being Hon. William Rollins, of Waynesville. In March, 1877, he was admitted to the bar, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, being also appointed by Gov. Phelps prosecuting attorney of Pulaski County, in April of the same year, to till the unexpired term of Hon. William Rollins, who had died. He served in this capacity two years, and during 1880 and 1881 was engaged in tilling the soil. At the latter date he entered the teacher’s profession, but after a short time resumed his practice in Waynesville. In November, 1888, he was elected to his present position. May 6, 1877, he married Mary Bostic, who was born in North Carolina in 1858, and to them have been born five children: Oscar, Effie, Ernst, Josephine and Vera. Mr. Johnson is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of B. D. Bostic, who came from Richmond County, N. C., in 1868.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in The History of Pulaski County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Pulaski County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Pulaski County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.