"Maj. Francis M. JOHNSON, a prominent citizen and native of Madison County Ark., was born on the 13th of February, 1842, and is a son of James M. and Miriam (WORTHINGTON) Johnson.

The former was born in Georgia December 25, 1806, and the latter in Warren County, Tenn., April 17, 1816, and they died in Madison County, Ark., November 11, 1868, and April 5, 1879, respectively. They became early residents of Tennessee, and were worshipers in the Christian Church.

He was a Republican in his political views and in 1862 joined the Union forces, but was discharged in the fall of 1864, on account of disability. He was the father of six sons and one daughter, the sons being soldiers in the federal army, and four of his sons and the daughter are now living. J. M. [James M.] , F. M. [Francis M.] , W. H. [William H], A. M. [Alexander M.], and Louisa, the wife of Frank M. LOLLAR. One son, R. S. [Robert S], was a private in the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and died in 1864 in the Black Hills country, in Dakota Teritory. Another son, B. C. [Britton C.], was a private in Company F, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and died September 4, 1867. James Means [sic] was breveted brigadier-general in 1865.

Maj. Francis M. JOHNSON received a liberal education at Huntsville, Ark., and March 3, 1862, he attached himself to the Third Illinois Cavalry, but was detailed by Gen. S. R. CURTIS of Iowa, to the secret service, and served in that capacity one year. He was taken prisoner July 4, 1862, court-martialed and sentenced to be shot, but the authorities at Richmond, considering it unwise in this instance, and injurious to the cause of rebellion, to proceed with the execution, issued orders delaying the enforcement of the sentence, and before long Mr. JOHNSON made his escape by swimming the Arkansas River.

In 1863 he was promoted to first lieutenant of Company B, First Arkansas Infantry, and was soon commissioned by Gov. MURPHY as captain, and May 10, 1864, was commissioned major. He was in many hotly contested battles and in numerous skirmishes.

After the close of the war he married to Mary A., a daughter of John C. CALICO, who is an old settler, and was at one time treasurer of Madison County. Mrs. JOHNSON was born in Madison County April 29, 1852, and seven daughters and one son have blessed their union: Lydia B., Fannie E., Miriam, Lulu, Cora, Frankie, William L. and Gracie.

Mr. JOHNSON is a Mason and a member of the G. A. R., and is highly esteemed by all who know him as an honorable and upright citizen." (Goodspeeds History of NW AR…)