PREFACE
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     To write the history of my native county, and to rescue from oblivion the anecdotes and early incidents of its first settlers, have been with me a pleasant pastime.  While it has been much labor to gather the material for this work, and to test it by the crucible of truth,  my mind has thereby been relieved of much care and of anxious thoughts upon more serious subjects during an exile in my native land; and if I will have been the means of preserving, for the future historian, matters which are within the recollection of but very few now living, my time and toil have been well spent.
     Several years ago, when a resident of this place, I collected many of the items which I now produce from memory; such as the captivity of John Shilley, and events of early occurrence within the knowledge of Dr. Timothy Burr, my father, Daniel S. Norton, Col. John Greer, Judge Bevans, Gilman Bryant, Col. Emor Harris, Judge Jesse B. Thomas, Rev. James Scott, and others, who have since deceased.  Among my papers in Texas are notes taken by me of conversations with the above recited parties, as also with Samuel H. Smith and William Smith, old residents of Knox, now residing in that State.
     I would have delayed the publication of the sketch I give herewith, were it not very uncertain when the present unhappy war may terminate, or what my future may be.  Procrastination might prove fatal to the enterprise; hence I have con

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cluded to furnish it to the children of the old settlers, and the public generally in the Ko-kosing country, conscious that it has imperfections, but without the ability, under existing circumstances, of making it more complete.  My object is accomplished in putting in this form for preservation much crude material, which I regard as of the value of those who may succeed us; I did not undertake it with expectation or purpose of gain.
     I may have overlooked some names in putting the manuscript to press, or improperly placed others; but from the most reliable data I have drawn my conclusions and made my statements.  I would have been pleased to have extended my genealogical sketches, and to have traced out the various old families in the townships; but, from having met several who were indisposed to give me information, I found this branch must necessarily be partial, and desisted from researches in that way.  The reader will take those named as examples of the manner in which I think a history of the county ought to be written, and I would like to have so presented it.  Some, whose names may not be found in this book, may find fault with its compilation, as did "Schmidt," the dutch drayman in the city of Austin, whose name he discovered in the Directory spelled "Smith," and exclaimed, "I would not give one tam for the Correctory vot has my name left out of it; for Smith is not Schmidt no how."
     Of one thing all may be assured, and that is this:  I have set down naught in malice, nor aught extenuated, but endeavored to represent all fairly and correctly.  I have no object to do otherwise.  I do not intend ever to live among you, nor in your State, and am, therefore, truly independent.  I belong to no political or religious party, sect or organization of the present day, nor do I ever expect to.  "He is a freeman whom the truth makes free!"  Having no interests to subserve -

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"no friends to reward, or enemies to punish" - I am, with my best regards to such as have received me kindly and aided me with information, and to the people of Knox individually and collectively,
                          Their friend,
                                         A. BANNING NORTON

MOUNT VERNON, O., July 1, 1862.

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