Rev. W. H. Grubb

     Long ago, the wise man said "of the making of many books there is no end."  Of the making of history the same may be said.  Every day and deed is a part of future history, and from her pages speak events, experiences and deeds.  One of the chief difficulties which Mennonite historians have found in their efforts to write the story of their people is the fact that material for such a task is very meagre, since the church has in the past, in many localities, neglected to keep records of their church activities.
     If each church or settlement had kept a record of its activities, the writing of a complete Mennonite history would be an easy matter.  The author has endeavored to record the facts of the Butler county settlement while it was still possible to secure at least sufficient information to write a connected story.  It has been indeed no easy task to go back ninety-six years and gather facts and dates of the life and work of those who have long since passed away.
     The work of this volume has been made possible by the family bibles, diarys and family traditions placed in my hands by many interested friends, and I here desire to express my gratitude and appreciation to all who thus assisted me in this undertaking.  I, therefore, place this volume in your hands as a contribution to Mennonite history, and may it be an incentive to those who follow after us, to live and preserve the faith which was so dear to our fathers, is my wish and prayer.
                                                          W. H. GRUBB.

Trenton, Ohio, November, 1915.