PREFACE

THE aim of the publishers of this volume and the author of the history has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate information respecting all subjects therein treated and to present the data thus gathered in a clear and impartial manner. All topics and occurrences have been included that are essential to the clearness and usefulness of the history. Although the original purpose of the author was to limit the narrative to the close of 1905, he has found it expedient and has deemed it proper to touch on many matters relating to the year 1906. In collecting and arranging the material which has entered into this .history, it has been the editor's aim to secure facts and to present them in an interesting form.

It is impossible for the editor to enumerate all to whom he feels that thanks are due for assistance rendered and kindly interest taken in this work. He is under special obligations to Mr. John W. Lowe, Miss May Lowe and Mr. Charles E. Winstead for help in the preparation of the history.

The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives, which make up the biographical department of the volume, and whose authorship is for the most part independent of that of the history, are admirably adapted to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism and to emphasize the rewards of industry, dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium of perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. They bring into bold relief careers of enterprise and thrift and make manifest valid claims to honorable distinction. If " Biography is the only true History," it is obviously the duty of the men of the present time to preserve in this enduring form the story of their lives in order that their posterity may dwell on the successful struggles thus recorded and profit by their example. These sketches, replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences, will naturally prove to a large proportion of the readers of this book its most attractive feature.

In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Pickaway County, which will fitly supplement the historical statement; for the development of the county is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. The publishers have endeavored in the preparation of the work to pass over no feature of it slightingly, but to give heed to the minutest details, and thus to invest it with a substantial accuracy which no other treatment would afford. The result has amply justified the care thus exercised, for no more reliable publication, under the circumstances, could be laid before its readers.

We have given special prominence to the portraits of representative citizens, which appear throughout this volume, and believe they will prove a most interesting feature of the work. We have sought to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as conspicuously as possible. To those who have kindly interested themselves in the successful preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful information and data, we herewith tender our grateful acknowledgment.

Chicago, Ill., November, 1906.

THE PUBLISHERS.

Note

All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press, and a reason-able time allowed in each case for the return of the type-written copies.

Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate.

A few, however, were not returned to us and as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book.

THE PUBLISHERS.

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