PREFACE
THE History of Livingston County here presented to its patrons
for their approval, is the result of long and patient labor and research, which have been
bestowed upon it with the view of producing an authentic and connected narrative of events
of general importance or interest, which have occurred in the territory now comprised in
the county of Livingston, or in which its residents have been actors; confining the
account as closely as practicable to the limits of the county, and to its former and
present inhabitants; referring to outside matters only so far as is necessary, to show the
connection of events.
To the general matter pertaining to the county, is added a
history of each of its townships, embracing notices of early settlers, sketches of
churches, schools, societies, and other local organizations, and also special and
statistical matters relating to the county and townships, intended chiefly for reference.
Other portions. of the work are necessarily arranged according to the subjects of which
they treat.
In the preparation of the history many of the best and most reliable
works bearing on the subject have been consulted, and no labor has been spared in the
gathering of historical material from the most thoroughly informed citizens of the county;
and in these labors and researches it has been not more the object to collect all
obtainable facts, than to exclude everything of doubtful authenticity. If errors are
discovered (as it is almost certain that. there will be) in the orthography of some of the
family names of the early and later residents of the county, it is largely due to the fact
that these names have been found spelled differently (and sometimes in as many as four or
five different ways) in the county, township, church, and society records. In several
cases it has been found that different members of the same family vary in the orthography
of their surnames; one especially notable instance of this kind being that of two brothers, both of whom are highly educated and intelligent men, and both
prominent and influential citizens of Livingston County. Under such circumstances it
should not be thought strange if the several writers of the county and township histories,
often finding themselves wholly at a loss to know which method of spelling to adopt, have
sometimes made the mistake of choosing the wrong one.
Beyond this explanation no apology will be made, for, none is
thought to be necessary. It is, of, course, impossible to produce a history which shall be
absolutely perfect, but every effort has been used to make this as nearly so as possible.
Its patrons will judge it upon its merits, and it is hoped and confidently believed that
it will meet their approval.
To those who have kindly given their aid in the collection of
material for the work, the historian desires to express his thanks. Among these he would
mention the pastors and leading members of the churches, the editors of the county
newspapers, the gentlemen of the legal and
4.
medical professions in the county, and the honored judge of the Seventh Judicial
Circuit. A large number of pioneers and other citizens of the county have also been called
on for aid, and they have all promptly and willingly responded with such information as
they have been able to give. As there are in this list more than two hundred persons to
whom acknowledgments are due, it. is hardly practicable to mention them separately by
name, but grateful and cordial thanks are returned to all for the assistance which they
have so freely and courteously extended.
F.E.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., Dec. 1, 1879
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