It is not an easy task to make a history. It is said that history records itself. It does, but men and periods and individualities pass into time and the identities, the individuals, the associations, the manner of life, the manner of business, the recollections and history too often pass to oblivion Hamilton is historic. The pioneers who made and the men who make it now are all worthy of immortal record. This history ought to have been written, in complete form, years ago. It has taken years of investigation to accumulate the matter of which this volume is made up. The sole aim of the author has been accuracy and brevity. Especial care has been exercised as to fidelity to facts. It is esteemed a priceless privilege to pay this feeble but just tribute to the pioneers of Hamilton, and the author's first and only thought and effort in the issue of this modest volume is to put into enduring type, facts heretofore unknown to publication, to present a collection of facts of history heretofore unpublished and uncollected, and to place in collected form a pen picture of the men who have made Hamilton and are making its history now.<br><br>Much assistance has been derived from Thomas Millikin, Samuel Shaffer, J. M. Johnson and Jacob Stillwaugh. To Dr. William C. Miller for valuable aid, our gratitude is deep. Our thanks are due to Captain Philip Rothenbush, Walter L. Tobey, Frank E. Brandt and W. O. Millikin for valuable service rendered.