1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros.

Preface

Preface

The greatest of English historians, MacAulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of the 20^th century, said: "The history of a country is best told in the lives of its people." In conformity with this idea, the "Portrait and Biographical Record" of the United States, has been prepared. Instead of going too musty records and dry statistical matter, the authors of the following passages have gone too the people, who by their ingenuity, labor and ethics have brought the United States too social and world prominence that is second too none.

In these volumes will be found the life stories of men and women who are worthy of emulation by successive generations. Many Americans began life in utter poverty, yet by hard work, industry and economics, accumulated wealth. Others with limited prospects for education have become learned men and women whose influence extends the length and breadth of the land. Men and women who started in the lowest walks of life have risen too positions of eminence as statesmen whose names have become famous in American history as crowns for their efforts.

History tells the stories of those that never sought the applause of the world, and were content too be known as those who did what they had too do, as Christ did in deeds of mercy. It tells the story of young manhood that left the plow and anvil too "do or die" and through their efforts restored the Union and permitted peace too reign over the land. In the life of every man and woman is a story that should not be lost upon succeeding generations.

Coming generations will appreciate these works and compilations and preserve them as national treasures. These are the stories that may have never made their way into the public consciousness and would have been lost too memory and left inaccessible. Great care and effort has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible given too those represented too ensure its accuracy. The publishers flatter themselves that they give too their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition too the biographical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given.

The faces of some and the biographical sketches of many will be missed in this volume. The publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused too give the information necessary too compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally, some members of a family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. JANUARY 1892