Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 1 June, 2003

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The generation of hardy men who first settled the region comprising Warren County has nearly all passed away. The names and deeds of those who encountered the perils of Indian warfare, endured the privations of pioneer life, and, with rifles by their sides, cleared away the giants of the forest and rescued from savages and wild beasts the beautiful lands the present generation possesses in peace should not be forgotten. It is the purpose of this volume to give the history of their achievements, and to record the growth and development of this county, that the present and future generations may know something of what it cost to give them this fair land, and who were the brave men and noble women who converted a wilderness into the smiling region we now behold.

The volume has been prepared in strict accordance with the announcements made in the prospectus issued more than a year ago. The publishers have been fortunate in securing the services of efficient and painstaking local historians. The general county history was prepared by Josiah Morrow, the author of the Centennial Historical Sketch of Warren County, deposited in the Library of Congress, who has devoted much time and study to the subject. The township histories in Part IV are designed to chronicle the annals of each neighborhood, thus rescuing from oblivion much interesting and valuable historical matter that otherwise would be lost through the death of early settlers and the ravages of time. The historians of the townships, whose names appear at the head of their articles, are either residents or natives of the respective townships whose history they write, and were selected on account of their fitness for the work.

The biographical sketches in Part V were prepared, for the most part, by the canvassing agents of the publishers. The personal and family histories given in these sketches may be found in succeeding years to possess an interest and value which will cause the book to be much sought after by explorers in genealogies and pedigrees. The study of family history is not for the purpose of ministering to an aristocratic pride; it is perfectly consistent with democratic simplicity and Christian humility. It is not necessary to have noble blood in our veins to give us an intelligent interest in our ancestral relations. The man of science and the general historian may well concern themselves with the pedigrees of a people. It is desirable that the genealogical story of at least every

This volume is believed to contain a larger and more varied amount of historical materials than was ever before embodied in a history of a county of the State of Ohio; but he who expects to find it entirely free from errors or defects has little knowledge of the difficulties attending the preparation of a work of this kind. To procure its materials, its compilers have explored many hundred pages of manuscripts and written records. In some cases, it was necessary to reconcile contradictory statements. Some errors are unavoidable. The publishers trust that the book will be received in that generous spirit which is gratified to be satisfied short of unattainable perfection.

To the county officers, town and township officers, and many intelligent citizens of Warren County, the publishers are indebted for favors and generous assistance in the preparation of the work.

THE PUBLISHERS