PROF. J. M. JOHNSON. This gentleman has resided in Christian County for the past six years, and though young, he is full of energy, business qualification and thoroughly fitted for the drug business which he is now following. He is a native of Webster County, Mo., born February 24, 1862, but was reared principally in Wright County, this State. He is a son of J. C and Mary (Russell) Johnson and the grandson of SpencerJohnson who was a Virginian by birth but of Scotch-Irish origin. The latter was an early pioneer of Tennessee, and some of the members of this family were active in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. J. C. Johnson and his mother, who was a widow at that time, came to Missouri as early as 1832, about the time the Indians were moved westward by the Government, and settled in Wright, now Webster County,fourmiles from Seymour. There they resided until the breaking out of the Civil War, then moved to Arkansas. The father of our subject enlisted with Gen. Price and was with him in the Arkansas campaign and in the raid through Missouri. Previous to this he was married in Webster County to Miss Russell, and after cessation of hostilities he returned to Wright County. He participated in a number of hard-fought battles and was a fearless soldier. He and his wife are still living on the old farm in Wright County and are well respected in the community. The nine children born to them were named in the order of their births as follows: J. M., subject; Ella, Nancy, Thomas, Ophelia, William, Eliza, Jennie, and Laura. The father has always tilled the soil and is a wide-awake energetic farmer and a man well posted on all the current topics of the day. Prof. J. M. Johnson spent his early days on the farm near Henderson and attended the country schools. Later he attended the high school at Hartville and the normal school at Henderson, Webster County. From there he entered the Missouri State Medical College at St. Louis and graduated from the same in 1892 with a view to practice medicine, and is a registered pharmacist. When he left school he began teaching and continued this until he entered the Medical College. He taught in the public schools of Wright and Webster Counties and for five years was president of a private normal at that place. As an educator he is well known and very popular and has had considerable experience. In 1892 he began the study of medicine and also embarked in the drug trade. In the latter he is in partnership with John B. Witty, who has lived in this county for a number of years. Our subject took up his residence in Sparta in 1887 and since then has been one of the prominent business men of the place. He also owns considerable real estate and has made a success of whatever he has undertaken. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Mary C. Ruffin, daughter of Henry Ruffin an early pioneer of the county, and three children have been born to this union: Walter; Otto, died young; and Lester. Prof. Johnson is a member of the I. 0.0. F. and the A. F. & A. M. of Sparta, and has held all the offices in the former organization. In politics he is with the Democratic party and was elected by that party to the office of county superintendent of schools, holding the position for two years. He has ever been interested in educational work, and he and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in which he is deacon. Sorry it took so long...Been swamped with requests. :-) - - Matt

J. S. JOHNSON. It is always a pleasure to deal with the history of one of those grand old families that have for generations been distinguished for patriotism, genuine Christianity and strong characteristics which have made them prominent wherever they have settled. J. S. Johnson, who has been a resident of this State since 1868, and of Ozark since 1873, is descended from an old and prominent Virginia family. His grandfather Johnson was a native of the Old Dominion, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, as were other members of this family. David Johnson, the father of our subject, was also born in Virginia and was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Gen. Harrison. He took part in the battle of Tippecanoe. All his life was spent in farming and he became fairly well off. In politics he was a Whig. He was married to Miss Frances McDaniell and subsequently emigrated to Indiana, where six children were born, our subject being one of these. By a previous marriage the father reared a family of twelve children. The father and mother of J. S. Johnson passed their last days in Indiana, the former dying in 1875, and the latter ten years later, both quite aged. J. S. Johnson first saw the light in Indiana, July 1, 1829, and his early life was spent on a farm. He secured a good education in the colleges of Indiana, and was married in that State to Miss Hannah Dean, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of William G. Dean, who was of a prominent Virginia family. Six children were born to this union, namely: William D., who died in this county in 1884; Z. A., ex-sheriff of the county; Clara J., the wife of David Wolff, of Ozark (see sketch), and three who died young. Our subject lost his first wife in 1872, and her remains were interred at Carthage, Mo. Mr. Johnson's second marriage was with the eldest daughter of Judge Samuel Boyd. Previous to his first wife's death Mr. Johnson moved to Iowa, and in 1868 to Carthage, Mo., where he resided until 1873. He then came to Ozark and was engaged in the mining business. The same year he was appointed postmaster at Chadwick, and in r88g, was appointed to the same position at Ozark, holding the same until July 17, 1893, and giving his whole attention to the office. He has ever been an ardent Republican and as a citizen and neighborno man is more highly esteemed. He is a member of Friend Lodge No. 352, A. F. & A. M., at Ozark, and also of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Johnson held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. She has associated herself with her husband in church relations. At the present time Mr. Johnson is engaged in the meat business at Ozark, and is succeeding fairly well at this. During the late war he was so badly afflicted with rheumatism that he was not able to become a soldier. In the spring of 1894 he was elected mayor of the city of Ozark, being the recipient of every vote cast at said election. He is a man well posted on all the current topics of the day, a great reader, and a pleasant conversationalist.

Z. A. JOHNSON. It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that the history of so-called great men only is worthy of preservation, and that little merit exists among the masses to call forth the praise of the historian or the cheers and appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man is great in all things, and very few are great in many things. Many, by a lucky stroke, achieve lasting fame, who before that had no reputation beyond the limits of their neighborhood. It is not a history of the lucky stroke which benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky stroke possible. It is the preliminary work-the method -that serves as a guide for the success of others. Thus it appears that the lives of the masses out of which come the men who control the world, will furnish the grandest, truest lesson for the benefit of humanity. Among the successful and popular business men of Ozark, stands Z. A. Johnson, who is a member of the well-known grocery establishment of Wolff & Johnson. He was originally from the Hoosier State, born in Owen County February 16, 1851, and is a son of J. S. and Hannah (Dean) Johnson, natives of Indiana and Ohio, respectively. His grandparents on both sides came originally from Virginia, where they were among the prominent families of that grand old State. Until 1864 our subject remained in his native State, and then accompanied his father to Iowa, settling in Clark County, at Osceola where they remained until 1866. They moved to Kansas, and thence, in 1868, to Missouri, locating at Carthage, where they made their home until 1873, when the family settled at Ozark. Our subject was fairly educated in his native State, Iowa and Kansas, and in 1870 started out in business for himself. Possessed of much energy, perseverance and business acumen it would have been strange had he not made a success of whatever he undertook. For some time he was engaged on the railroad, and then followed mining in zinc and lead for about ten years. In the year 1885 he was elected on the Republican ticket sheriff of Christian County. His ability and fearlessness in the discharge of his duties gave satisfaction to all, regardless of politics, and he was reelected to that position twice, serving from 1885 until 1890. He has ever affiliated with the Republican party, is well known all over the county, and was sheriff during the Bald Knob troubles. He has held a number of public offices in Ozark, being deputy sheriff and city marshal, and so well did he fill those positions that he was elected sheriff by a large majority. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a member of Friend Lodge No. 352, A. F. & A. M., at Ozark. In choosing his wife, he selected Miss Maggie Boyd, a native of Wright County, Mo., and the daughter of Samuel Boyd, who was an early pioneer of Ozark. To this union three children were born, namely: Harry, Bernice and James. Mr. Johnson and family reside at Ozark, where they have a pleasant home, and the family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Johnson is interested in the grocery business and the Ozark Furniture Company, and is also a stockholder and director in the Christian County Bank. He is a self-made man in every sense of that much-abused term, and his natural shrewdness, combined with industry and perseverance, brought him to the front as one of the most successful business men of the city. In the grocery business operated by himself and David Wolff, they handle staple and fancy groceries, and are doing an annual trade of about $20,000. The business is conducted on a sound and liberal basis, and the public places in it a full measure of confidence.