PREFACE

In presenting these volumes to the public, no elaborate introduction 
is needed.  With a reader of ordinary intelligence, the title alone 
is sufficient to place this work on terms of friendship. The van of 
civilization in its westward march, was in the upper Ohio valley 
during the stirring times of the revolution, and the troubles which 
that memorable conflict brought upon the frontier settlers were 
indeed great. To give a succinct and authentic account of the general 
history of this region, together with biographical sketches of many 
inhabitants, was the original intention of the publishers, and 
throughout the whole of the work this has been the central plan. In 
addition to this, however, there has been much other valuable and 
interesting matter included relating to local affairs, although it 
was impossible in a work of this character to go far into details. 
Nearly all the general history of the valley is from the graphic pen 
of judge Gibson L. Cranmer, which is comprised in the first fourteen 
chapters of Volume 1. All other chapters have the name of the authors 
at the head in every case, except where it was compiled by some 
member of our regular corps of writers. The chapters in the second 
volume, from the pens of J. H. S. Trainer, W. M. Trainer, O. M. 
Sanford and J. B. Doyle, of Jefferson county, and those of Col. C. L. 
Poorman, R. H. Taneyhill and Maj. A. T. McKelvey, of Belmont, and in 
the first volume by Dr. S. L. Jepson, are all full of valuable and 
entertaining matter. 

It is now more than a year since the work of compilation began and in 
that time much arduous and painstaking labor has been performed by 
those engaged in it. Hardly can it be hoped that there are no errors 
in the midst of so much liability to err, but it is believed that 
these volumes are as nearly accurate as the nature of the work will 
reasonably permit.
 
It is thought that these pages contain short and concise sketches of 
a large majority of the leading families of the six counties embraced 
in them. There are other conspicuous citizens not mentioned herein, 
yet this is not the fault of the publishers. The work has already 
outgrown expectations by several hundred pages. The practice of 
publishing biographies of living men, which has become so widely 
popular in recent years, is one in keeping with modern progress.  No 
other plan so accurately  gathers the facts of a man's life nor does 
any other so faithfully record them. Even should occasional errors 
creep in it is better that the mistakes be made while the living 
witnesses are able to correct and refute them, than to wait for that 
immoderate adulation which so often finds its only apology in death.

The work is so much more than was promised to our patrons, both in 
quantity and quality, that we have no doubt of its favorable 
reception by those for whom it was prepared. Our thanks are due to 
subscribers and to all who have rendered us assistance.

The Publishers.

Madison Wis., July, 1890.