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PREFACE.
partial exhibit of their industrial pursuits and business tact, but
also as evidence that we are linked together by a stronger tie than
sectional lines.
   The chapter on Lake Koshkonong is from the pen of Prof. Kum-
 lien, a scientist of no mean mark either in this country or Europe.
 Although he has devoted a life time to the study of natural history,
 and his labors been heralded abroad, there are but few of our citizens
 that even know that this seer is living at our very doors. Forty
 long years has he quietly and unobtrusively spent in studying the
 botanical life of many of our plants, as well as givig us a clearer
 insight into the ornithology of this continent, and we feel our duty
 but begun in our meager effort to make these facts known.
   The "H:istorical Introduction" will be found full of interesting
dates and facts, as also the chapter on " Personal Recollections,"
while the list of County Officers, obtained at considerable labor, and
the only list published, will be used as a useful reference.
   Our county is the largest in population and wealth of any other
in our state, except Milwaukee, and is largely on the increase. The
healthful character of our climate, together with our rich and varied
displays of scenic beauty beheld every where around us, is bringing
hundreds to our doors who are not only invigorated by our pure
and bracing atmosphere, but enchanted with the landscape grand-
eur that foreign lands but tamely mimic. Historical places point
to ages as yet comparatively Known, and if a people, whom we
designate as Mound Builders, lived here, it is but right to infer that
they were neither ignorant of our climate or our scenery, but as is
shown, left larger evidences of their labors here than in any other
section of this country.
  We have been much gratified at the cordiality with which our
citizens have entered into the enterprise, and take this opportunity
of offering them our grateful acknowledgments, and especially to
the writers of the different chapters, for their kind and unselfish
interest in collecting the many facts and pleasing incidents there-
in related. Such men are, as a rule, the bone and sinew of a com-
munity, and never weary in well doing. We are also indebted to
the following gentlemen, who have made it a matter of interest
and labor to aid us in our undertaking: Hon. Simeon Mills, Wm.
A. Wheeler, E. M. Williamson, E. Burdick, Geo. B. Smith, Wm.
Vroman, N. T. Parkinson, Wm. Welch, S. W. Botkin, Hon. Ly-
man C. Draper, Prof. S. H. Carpenter, Prof. R. B. Anderson, D. S.
Durrie (who aided us materially, by the use of several of his MSS.),
Phillip Barry, (for the use of county records,) Gabriel Bjonison, P.
B. Parsons, 0. S. Holum, Hon. J. A. Johnson, Gen. S. Cadwalla-
der, Judge N. P. Hyer, Judge J. T. Clark, Capt. John Nader, Jas.
B. Stuart, (for draught of design on back of the volume), N. P.
Jones, (for photographs to the engraver), N. T. Hawes, John Cors-
cot (for city records), and others.                   W. J. P.
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