The 1900 Census of North Colfax, Whitman County, WA
Jno(John) B. Johnson, born August 1857 in Missouri to father born in N. Carolina, mother in Kentucky, farmer owned his land. First married age 42, married 23 years.
Arminda L, born Sep 1863 in Missouri to father born in Kentucky, mother in Tennessee. Mother of 9/9 living.
Nine children listed, all born in WA, youngest listed was Sylvia E, born July 1897
On the same census sheet: Chas. M. and Della Johnson and family; A.J.D. Cornelius and family. On the next census sheet: James M. Lloyd. See below for significance with these persons.

The Bureau of Land Management has a database of land patents:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx#searchTabI...
issued under the Homestead Act and other Congressional land grants:
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/AH-Homestead.html

It shows a John B. Johnson obtained 158.91 acres on 6/28/1890 in Whitman County. This land was in four parts, all in Township 17 North, Range 43 east, Section 6, the parts were:
a. The Southeast corner of the Northwest quarter (of Section 6)
b. Lot/Trct 3 of the Northeast corner of the Northwest Quarter.
c. Lot 4 of the Northwest corner of the Northwest Quarter
d. Lot 5 of the Southwest corner of the Northwest Quarter.

A Section is a square mile in size and contains 640 acres. A Quarter Section contains 160 acres. Each Quarter Section would contain 40 acres in each corner. Others having land in Section six were Andrew J.D. Cornelius; James M. Lloyd; John C. Morgan. While Morgan wasn't shown on the Census sheets, finding Cornelius and Lloyd as neighbors signifys this was the correct John Johnson.

This window:
http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=11&X=58...
shows a red colored square with a red "6" in the center, this is Section 6. It contains route 23. This section has a slight bend to it, while unusual, it does occur. Looking at this square, divide it into quarters. Look at the top left quarter, this would be the Northwest Quarter. Divide it into quarters. Most of his land, as identified above was the "Southeast corner of the Northwest quarter." So, this portion was the bottom right corner of that top left quarter. The rest of the land, in those tracts can be found by following their identifications.

To fully see where this land was located, go to the top left corner of the map and click on the next rectangle box up toward the minus sign, -, to zoom Out. You can see the "6" yet in this window. Again zoom out. In this next window you can still see the "6." To the right is Steptoe.

I'd suggest opening another window and use this link:
http://classic.mapquest.com/ Enter, Steptoe, WA. You can zoom in, also use the aerial map to see the actual configuration of the land.

There is also a method to obtain his application for this land, let me know if interested.

Ron Bestrom
Tacoma, WA