As local history is more interesting and profitable than general, and as the time has arrived when the publication of county histories can be made self-supporting, the publishers of this volume selected Jackson county as a good field; and they have indeed found it a pleasant one, for the county has had an interesting history, having always been one of the chief counties of the great Peninsular State. In matters of general public interest and progress, Jackson county has ever taken a leading and prominent position. Here have lived men who have taken an important part in the affairs of State and in molding the political sentiments and destiny of the country. This county has been the scene of conflict between some of the most gigantic intellects of the nation, as well as the birthplace of many business, philanthropic and party enterprises.

This history appears none too soon. The pioneers have nearly all passed away. Here and there we see the bended form and whitened head of some of these veterans, but they constitute not more than one in twenty of the early pilgrims. We have faithfully Accurate interviewed them, and obtained what facts we could. history is most difficult to write; many things are differently told by different persons, and if nineteen-twentieths of the five hundred thousand data in this volume are correct, there may still be twentyfive thousand errors.

To obtain a glance at the scope and merits of a volume, it is necessary to study critically the title-page and table of contents. By looking carefully at the latter, one will learn how to use the work, -where to look for any given class of items. In this volume, notice particularly that the townships are arranged alphabetically, and the biographies also alphabetically, in their respective townships. A number of personal sketches will be found under head of Jackson city, as many of the parties reside in or near that place.

As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous representative citizens. Many others,

just as deserving, of course, we did not select; but those we have given constitute a good representation, and they are all men of high standing in the community.

The task of compiling this history, which has assumed proportions much larger than we had expected, has been a pleasant one, although laborious and expensive; and we desire here to express our hearty thanks to those who have so freely aided us in collecting material. To the county officials, pastors of Churches, officers of societies, pioneers, members of the Pineer Society and especially the editors of the press, we are particularly grateful for the many kindnesses and courtesies shown us while laboring in the county. But most of all we wish to thank those who have so liberally and materially aided the work by becoming subscribers.

INTER-STATE PUBLISHING COMPANY.

CHICAGO, May, 1881.