THE son of pioneers of Howell, my first recollections were associated with early days here. These pioneers are gone. Only a few remain, last leaves clinging to the tree of life. With their departure go the stories of their lives, the foundation period of our local history.

     More than twenty years ago when the writer was publishing the Livingston Herald, I conceived the idea of publishing a history of Howell and had the work well under way when that paper was sold. The fire soon after burned up all but one copy.

     Nearly four years ago the present work was commenced, the matter running in the Livingston Tidings as fast as prepared. Every possible effort has been mad., to verify the facts and details, but some errors have crept in. The work of time too, has made some changes in the four years since the first chapters were printed. We believe however that the subject matter is nearly all correct history. It has been an honest effort to preserve that which would otherwise have been lost.

THE AUTHOR