Benjamin Johnson was born in Hiland County, Ohio, December 19, 1819. He married Jane Simons Dec. 26, 1839, in Dubious County, Indiana. They were the parents of 10 children: Ellen, Mary Jane, Nancy, Huldah, Angeline, Ashley, John Lewis, Minerva Ann, Martha Eveline and Margaret Jane.

Ellen married Wm. Edwards, Angeline married Hiriam Mendenhall, Minerva Ann married Jim Brand and Margaret Jane married Will Clawson. John Lewis left home at the age of 14 and was never heard from again. Mary Jane died at the age of four years and Martha Eveline at the age of 31 years.

Ashley was born in Bridgeport, Spencer County, Indiana, on July 22, 1843, and died at his home in Murray, Iowa, Aug. 9, 1923, at the age of 70 years. The Johnson family moved to Clarke County, Iowa, and settled on Long Creek southeast of Hopeville. On July 4, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Shields. They were the parents of three children, one daughter and two sons. In 1903 Ashley and Minerva left their farm and went to Grand River. In 1910 they moved to Murray. Ashley was an active member in the M.E. Church of Murray the rest of his life. He died in 1934.

Stella May Johnson was born May 13, 1879; she married W. W. Pennock. They had seven living children: Opal, Dallas, Rolland, Clifford, Margerie, Margaret, and Gertrude.

Roscoe H. Johnson was born March 14. 1883. He was married to Erna A. Wilson. They were the parents of one son, Gerald N.

Elijah married Nettie Strubar; they were the parents of three children, Elveria, Orin, and Clarke.

Roscoe H. Johnson has lived in Clarke County all of his life. He spent 43 years farming, 1 year in the Hopeville store and trucked for 16 years.

Gerald N. Johnson was born March 5, 1905. Married to Velma N. Kane in 1924, their children are Duane, 1925; Darlene, 1927; Eugene, 1930; and Donald, 1932. Their livlihood has consisted of farming and running the Hopeville Store. Their children are all graduates of the Murray High School.

Duane Johnson married Alice McCafferty in 1948. They have four children: Greg and Gloria, born 1952; Dana, 1955; Kevin, 1956. Upon returning from service Duane went into general trucking; in 1946 he went into the hog buying business in Murray.

Darlene Johnson married Gene Wright on 1947. To them two sons were born, Alan, 1948; Ricky in 1949. They live in Woodburn, Iowa.

Eugene Johnson married Veda Hutcheson, 1957. After spending four years in the navy, they moved to Indianola, Iowa, where they still reside.

Donald Johnson married Janice Ewoldson, 1953. They have four children, Pamela, 1954; Patricia, 1955; Mark, 1958; and Michelle, 1964. Donald is making a career of the United States Air Force. He entered service in 1940.