INTRODUCTORY. 1882 て THE County of Kalamazoo, of which we have attempted to furnish a reliable history, notwithstanding its comparatively recent settlement by the white race, is rich in historic material. The fragmentary evidences of occupation by a prehistoric people, scattered here and there among its beautiful oakopenings, furnish materials from which volumes might be written; and the more recent occupation of the red hunter race is prolific of traditionary and written lore. The local writers who have from time to time placed upon record the varied incidents of pioneer life transpiring in the early days; the prominent representatives of the professions, teachers, clergymen, attorneys, and literary men, who have contributed of their knowledge to the general fund, are, each and all, entitled to credit for rescuing from oblivion what, in the coming years, will be invaluable. It matters not that portions of it may be crude and hastily written; it is far better, even in an imperfect state, than no record, and coming generations will appreciate and preserve every item as an heir-loom to be handed down to posterity. It has been our task to collect, to collate, to arrange, correct, and supplement this valuable material, of which Kalamazoo County possesses an unusual share, and present it, systematized in the best possible manner, for preservation and reference, and we have given our best endeavors to the work. We have searched to the bottom records, both public and private, and determined many matters about which the best citizens differed materially. The titles to lands, early mills, village plats; the earliest births, deaths, and marriages, and a thousand and one matters about which there has been much disagreement, we have carefully examined and put into permanent shape for preservation. Byron says, "Critics all are ready made," and we expect a generous share of their feathered weapons, from quivers always full, but we hope those whose opinions are valuable, will at least read and carefully verify, and not be hasty to condemn. We have trodden lightly, though eagerly, above the ruins of an unknown race, and given such descriptions of them as seemed necessary. We have endeavored to furnish a readable chapter upon the physical features of the State and County, including a carefully prepared geological article; we have given a synopsis of early discoveries by the French in the opening years of the seventeenth century, and outlined their adventures in and around the peninsulas of Michigan, as discoverers, missionaries, traders, and coureurs des bois. We have gathered up what traces have been preserved of the early trading-posts and missions in this immediate vicinity, and woven into the web of our history the traditions and fragmentary accounts of the various Indian nations which from time to time inhabited this portion of the lower peninsula. We have looked in upon the pioneer settlers who first adventured into the Western wilderness to make permanent homes for their wives and little ones, and have traveled with them along the road of progress and improvement. We have endeavored to trace the planting of early schools and churches, 3 |