Dates of birth and death are from his gravestone, a double one with Minnie, which spells his name Ernest and has the captions “Father” and “Mother”. I cannot find any other record of his death.

Her death certificate states Minnie Johnson, age 57 years 9 mos 19 days, born 1 Feb 1878 in Rowan Co., died 19 Nov 1935 in Rowan Co., widow of Ernest Johnson, father David Myres, mother Mary Hardin, both born in Rowan Co., cause of death pulmonary tuberculosis.

Rowan Co. marriage license book 2, p. 203, and register A, p. 110, record the marriage on 11 July 1897 of Ernest Johnson, age 34, second marriage, residence Bangor, born Menifee Co., parents born Bath Co., to Minnesota Myars, age 19, residence Bangor, born Rowan, bond surety by J. H. Phillips, to be at W. W. Phillips.

1900 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Pearce precinct, enumerated 5 June, lists on p. 4B as family #68:
Johnson, Earnest U., 37, b. Apr 1863, farmer; Minnie S., wife, 22, b. Feb 1878, married 3 years, mother of 2 children, 2 living; Wm O., son, 11, b. Apr 1889; John N., son, 8, b. Aug 1891; Drew C., dau, 5, b. Aug 1894; Jessie B., son, 4, b. Mar 1896; Fannie M., dau, 3, b. June 1896; Dessie D., dau, 1, b. Sept 1898. All born Ky Ky Ky.

Note that there are only three months between the reported birthdates of Jessie and Fannie. The birthdate for Fannie, if correct, suggests that she may be a daughter of a previous marriage of Minnie’s. But the birthdate may be wrong. (It is also possible that Ernest and Minnie were having a relationship while he was still married to Cynthia, but less likely.)

1910 census of Morgan Co., Ky, Panthers Branch precinct, enumerated in April, lists on p. 4B as family #69/70:
Johnston, Erran, 44, second marriage, farmer; Minnie, wife, 33, first marriage, married 12 years, mother of 12 children, 11 living; William O., son, 21; John M., son, 18; Drue C., dau, 15; Jessie B., son, 14; Fannie M., dau, 13; Dessie V., dau, 11; Eugene, son, 9; Emmit L., son, 7; Viola, dau, 5; Carl, son, 3; Effa M., dau, 12/12. All born Ky Ky Ky.

1920 census of Morgan Co., Ky, Panther’s Branch precinct, enumerated 31 Jan, lists on p. 14A as family #205/261:
Jonson, Minna, 48, widowed; Jene, son, 19; Jesse, son, 23; Emmett, son, 17; Jocie, dau, 15; Carl, son, 13; Richard, son, 9; Cillie, dau, 6. All born Ky Ky Ky.

The preceding household is headed by William Brown who is married to Minnie’s stepdaughter Drue.