Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/12

 Mansfield, and, while here, met Gen. BRINKERHOFF, and learned of his efforts to gather the history of the county. Having a practical knowledge of the preparation of such volumes, he saw the opening presented here, and immediately entered. Gen. BRINKERHOFF freely gave all his collected material, became an earnest and efficient helper, and, with Dr. WILLIAM BUSHNELL, MANUEL MAY, E. W. SMITH, REUBEN EVARTS, Dr. J. P. HENDERSON, and many others, took, from the beginning, an active interest in the enterprise. To the General's collections, as well as those of others, much of the accuracy of the volume is due.

The work was commenced about one year ago. It was thought best to include an outline history of Ohio, as histories of the State are quite rare. Over one hundred pages of the book are devoted to this subject, giving in as condensed a form as possible the narrative of the growth of Ohio.

Mr. N. N. HILLL, Jr., a resident of Mansfield and a very accurate, careful writer, was engaged to assist in writing and compiling the history. For this purpose he visited nearly every township in the county, and gathered its local history. To his persevering efforts, much of the detailed history is due. Mr. Hill made the drawing from which the picture " the first cabin in Richland County " was made.

Agents to canvass the county, and to gather the history of families, were secured, and sent into the county. Each township was kept separate, and the history of each family properly condensed and prepared for press. In some instances, the agents have gathered longer biographies than was necessary (noticeably the case in Worthington and Monroe Townships, the compiler not having time to revisit and rewrite their biographies. Only the facts are aimed to be given, and are all that should appear in any history. The compiler does not hold himself responsible for tHE statements made in any biography. Each one was written at the dictation of the persons whose history it preserves, or by competent persons who knew the family, and who only can be held responsible.

In this volume, the aim has constantly been to give the simple narrative of facts as they occurred. History is simply a narrative of events. In works of this character, it is impossible to obtain that accuracy of detail desirable. The memory of no one is infallible, and in this book the larger part is obtained from the recollection of those who passed through the scenes here recorded. Often such persons came to the compiler and desired to correct their statements ; asserting they had forgotten some valuable part, or unconsciously and unintentionally made a slight error. All statements were verified as far as it was possible to do so ; and, where any discrepancy arose, two or three statements were obtained, compared , and the proper one determined.

To all those who have in any way contributed their aid in gathering and compiling these annals, the compiler desires to return his grateful acknowledgments. No one is more sensible than he of errors that may have crept into the work ; and none will accept kindly criticism more cheerfully. He expressly desires to extend his thanks to Dr. WILLIAM BUSHNELL, Dr. J. P. HENDERSON, Mr. REUBEN Evarts, Thomas B. Andrews, Hon. S. S. Bloom, Mr. John Ward, Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Mr. H. R. SMITH, Mr. W. W. DRENNEN, Col. R. C. BROWN, and to others. To Dr. GEORGE W. HILL's valuable collections, which are frequently noticed in this work, and who has in manuscript form one of the best county histories extant; to Miss ROSELLA RICE, Mr. JOHN Y. GLESSNER,"for the use of the Shield and Banner files, also to Mr. GEORGE U. HARN, for the Herald, to the Liberal for its columns, to the MANSFIELD CALL, to Mr. A. L. GARBER, for his aid, and use of the Bellville Star. Also to the Shelby Times and News, the Plymouth Advertiser, the Shiloh Review, and to other papers, who have all spoken a good word, and freely given their aid. In addition to these mentioned, many persons, in all parts of the county, and, indeed, in other parts of the State, gave valuable material, for all of which, and to whom the compiler sincerely desires to return his acknowledgments. Especially to Mr. HENRY NEWMAN, of Williams County, who visited Mansfield, that he might give the early history of the county, being the only survivor of its earliest days. "Thanks are also due to all the County officers, as well as to all officials who possessed records that could throw any light on past events, and whose use was cheerfully and freely given.

Nearly three-quarters of a century have come and gone since the little band of surveyors under Gen. JAMES HEDGES began their labors in this part of Ohio, and measured the present domain of Richland County. Closely following them came JACOB NEWMAN, who built his humble cabin near the Rocky Fork, and began the life of a pioneer almost alone in this wilderness. In a year or two, others followed, attracted by the reports of the rich land in this part of Ohio. Different parts of the county,