PREFACE
It is only the thoughtless who dispute the value of local history; and it is usually a false, or an assumed modesty which refuses to support it on the ground of personal unimportance. The great bulk of the world's work is done by comparatively obscure men and women, and, although every community has some persons more prominent than the rest, all who are honest, industrious members of it, who are contributing something to its prosperity and progress, have earned a right to tell their stories for the benefit of their posterity and the thousands of others who are following in their footsteps of faithful labors, perhaps inadequately rewarded. Local history is to general history what the popular, well conducted newspaper is to the more finished monthly magazine.
In the department of this work devoted to the history proper, has been traced the general development of Cass county, both in material things and as a political subdivision of the state of Iowa. THose who went forth from its farms and towns to uphold the Union on many a hard fought battlefield and weary march, are given testimonials befitting their bravery and rugged faithfulness. The personalities of the pioneers, who bravely penetrated this section of the West when it was but a wilderness, have also been described; as well as the founders of cities and towns, of churches, schools and societies; of splendid farms and great manufactories. The professional men, whose work of the early years laid the foundation of a new civilization here, and assisted in preserving the physical, moral and intellectual tone of society, have found a deserved place in its pages, and nothing has been omitted which is thought material in presenting a general picture of the county's growth and those who have been the chief agents in its progress.
Cass is one of the most substantial and prosperous counties in Iowa, and, outside of a few large centers of population, is essentially agricultural. Within its borders is most strikingly demonstrated the fact that the farms of the country are the basis of its real wealth. Bearing this in mind, is sufficient explanation of the plan of this work, by which the bulk of the general history of Cass county is given to the townships, and thereby the settlement and development of the districts away from the large centers of population are also fully pictured.
The larger portion of the work, however, is devoted to biography, which is history first-hand; or, as otherwise expressed by Emerson, "the only true history." In this department will doubtless be found the sketches of some who should have been mentioned in the general history, and who only were excluded because of limited space. Here are the biographies of many of the distinguished dead of Cas county, as well as a gallant band of pioneers who have been spared to witness the wonderful growth of the country and the institutions of which they were founders. Representative lawyers, skilled physicians and surgeons, able editors, authors, clergymen and educators, prominent bankers, capitalists, manufacturers and merchants, successful farmers and railroad officials, public officers, soldiers old and young, and many others, who are unclassified above but merit notice for the good, honest work they are doing in the world -- all find a welcome in these pages.
The editors and publishers of this work have been well received by the intelligent people of Cass county, and hereby extend their thanks to them as a whole. The journalists of the county and its public officials have been especially courteous and helpful, and much assistance has been derived from the "Silver Anniversary" edition of the "Cass County Democrat." In the final revision of the general history sincere thanks are tendered. J. A. McWaid, of Atlantic, Hamilton Wilcox, of Griswold and Frank J. Macomber, of Lewis, for their valuable suggestions and corrections. We are also under obligations to E. D. McGeehon, of Atlantic, for faithful assistance and interesting contributions, especially to the pioneer history of Cass county, and to D. H. Scott, of Griswold, A. W. Stryker, of Cumberland, and G. A. Hill, of Massena, for their complete and valuable sketches of the towns named. To these, and many others whom it is impossible to specify by name, we take pleasure in making this public acknowledgement of invaluable co-operation, and trust that their assistance and confidence have not been misplaced.
HENRY TAYLOR & CO.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 9-10.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, November, 2013.
