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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan
        pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879

                              PREFACE

     It is chiefly for the sake of conforming to a custom which is as old
  as the trade of book-making that these few prefatory lines are addressed
  to readers of the following pages.
     Prefaces, although seldom read, contain, generally, some remarks
  which are pertinent and of value, as well as many which are unimportant
  and unnecessary; among the latter of which may be classed those in-
  sincere apologies which authors so frequently offer in advance, - much
  the same as the skillful housewife of a quarter of a century ago used to
  make pretended apologies to her guests when setting before them a repast
  which was really excellent, and which she herself knew to be so.  It has
  been told how, on one such occassion, when the good lady of the house had
  despairingly assured her favorite pastor that he would find the meats
  very badly cooked, and the bread really not fit to be eaten, the rev-
  erend gentleman disappointed and mortified her by the inquiry, "Then
  why, my dear madam, do you place them before me?" The reply was most
  appropriate; and a similar one might well be addressed to those writers
  who, while acknowledging their works to be faulty and inferior, yet do
  not hesitate to offer them to readers who have the right to expect and
  demand that they shall be of an opposite character.
     In the preparation of this work, the object steadily kept in view has
  been to furnish a reliable and exhaustive history of Genesee County, in
  all its departments, - pioneer, agricultural, manufacturing, civil,
  military, educational, and religious.  To accomplish this object many
  months (equivalent to more than two years time of a single person) have
  been spent, and neither labor nor expense have been spared in any part-
  icular.  Something has been gathered from published works; more from the
  State archives, the county and township records, and the files of old
  newspapers; and still more (as it is designed to be especially a history
  of pioneers and pioneer enterprise) from information furnished by the
  oldest residents and best informed people in the county.  In Flint City,
  and in eighteen townships, many such persons have been called on, and all
  - with a single exception - have most obligingly imparted such
  information as they were able to give.  To all and each of these sincere
  thanks are returned for the assistance they have so kindly and willingly
  contributed.  The name of each would be given separately in acknow-
  ledgement, but on account of the great number (exceeding three hundred)
  who have rendered valuable aid, such separate mention is impracticable.
     Especial acknowledgements are due to the editors and proprietors of
  of the several newspapers, the pastors of the churches, and the officers
  of the county, the townships, and the public institutions; all of whom
  have responded promptly and courteously to requests for assistance.
     The History of Genesee County is now presented, without apology, to
  its patrons, and their verdict is awaited, in full confidence that it
  will be a favorable one.

                                                F.E.
  Philadelphia, Oct. 1, 1879.

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