Chariton County, Missouri Biographical Sketch - ANSELM C. JOHNSON
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by: Willard D. Smith

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One of Chariton county's oldest and most highly respected citizens, was
born in Lynchburg, Campbell county, Virginia, Dec. 15, 1811, the eldest of
two children of Siburn and Mary (Clarkson) Johnson, also natives of the
Old Dominion.  While our subject was quite young, the mother died and the
father afterwards marrying about 1825, he went to live with his
grandfather, a large planter of Breckinridge county, Kentucky.  Soon after
taking up his residence in Kentucky, he began the saddle and harness
maker's trade, afterwards engaging in business for himself.  On Sept. 27,
1827 he was married to Miss Ann Elizabeth Clarkson, a daughter of Anselm
Clarkson.  In 1840 our subject and wife, who had been blessed by the birth
of two children, Julius H. and Mary L., concluded to move west, which they
did, first stopping at Glasgow, Mo., but soon after located at
Keytesville. Here Mr. Johnson engaged in the harness and saddle business,
continuing four years when he decided with his increasing family, to move
to the country and engage in farming.  At first our subject only secured
eighty acres of land, but as he prospered, continued to add to his
possessions until he had secured over 500 acres of land.  In 1861, at the
outbreak of the civil war, Mr. Johnson was in affluent circumstances and
though a southerner by birth and through sympathy, like many other men of
Missouri, he was opposed to secession, believing his people could best
succeed under the old flag and contend for their liberties.  June 9, 1864,
at midnight, marauder Freeman visited the home of Mr. Johnson and arousing
the family, arrested the father and the two oldest sons, Julius and Buck,
upon the charge of harboring and feeding  "bushwhackers." After much
abuse, the sons were released but the aged father was taken a prisoner to
Keytesville where after consultation with some prominent Union men he was
released after obtaining  by intimidation's of bodily harm $300 in money
and the promise of future protection. The depredations committed in this
county that week were indeed horrible.  On Saturday of that week this gang
visited Mr. Johnson's home a second time with avowed intention of hanging
him and his sons, but finding them gone they proceeded to plunder the
house, afterwards burning the building to the ground.  Freeman, who
claimed to be a Union detective, but in reality a highway robber, was
afterwards arrested at Bucklin by government officials and imprisoned. Mr.
Johnson and his faithful wife, assisted by their children, redoubled their
diligence and "Phoenix" like erected another dwelling over the ashes of
the one so ruthlessly destroyed.  To "Uncle Anselm, as he is best known,
and his life companion were given fifteen children, as follows: Julius H.,
born Sept. 27, 1835; Mary L., Sept. 10, 1837; Calb L., March 8, 1840;
Marcellius A., Feb. 3, 1842; Elvira A., Jan. 17, 1844; Tibathat, Dec. 29,
1845; James F., Nov. 11, 1847; infant son, July 26, 1849; Eldridge 11,
July 14, 1850; Eliza, Jan. 29, 1852; Cornelius, May 8, 18,54; infant son,
Sept. 26, 1856;  Sterling P., May 2, 18.57; Elizabeth E., Aug. 29, 1860;
and  Sydney E., Feb, 8, 1862.  Of these, nine are now living, together
with thirty grand children and sixteen great grandchildren. These good old
people, honored and respected by all who know them, with two grandchildren
whom they have raised, are quietly spending, the eve of a well spent life
at the home of their son, James F. Johnson, at the old family homestead,
seven miles northeast of Keytesville, where they have walked hand in hand
for over sixty years down the checkered stream of life.