Title
FOREWORD
Creator
Matilda L. Stoxen
Text
FOREWORD
Perhaps, too late came the idea of preserving the pioneer history of Stark County during the late 1880's and early 1900's. They, and most of their children were no longer living to recall the facts; yet the history should be written, preserved and made accessible to interested people. Consequently, the task of writing fell to the third generation, for the most part. They had not been eye witnesses of the actual happenings. Although much information had escaped them, these writers went back into their minds to recall stories that their parents and grandparents had told them. They studied obituaries, read tombstones, looked through diaries, scanned newspapers, and checked county and other records. The results are gratifying and these family histories should arouse a great deal of pride in the minds of the descendants.
In these early settlers, there was a natural impulse to make the most of life — a quality that is still a driving force in today's people of this area. These pioneers were progressive, courageous, ambitious, determined and adventurous. With these qualities came kindliness, compassion and love of family and friends. And, over and above all these attributes, was the possession of a faith in God who sustained and directed them through difficult years.
However, the greatness of these early prairie people, regardless of nationality, came to full flower in their children and grandchildren. These foreign born Americans had clung to their languages, but the second generation discarded that and became a part of the great American melting pot. Today's families will be represented by many nationalities. Barriers between nationalities and religions have disappeared. Any descendant of those early people can now say with pride, “I have a goodly heritage,” as did the great psalmist in Psalm 16:7.
Someone said, “He who praises his ancestors, praises the deeds.” That is, in part the aim of this volume in addition to the preservation of the records of their activities.
By Matilda L. Stoxen
Perhaps, too late came the idea of preserving the pioneer history of Stark County during the late 1880's and early 1900's. They, and most of their children were no longer living to recall the facts; yet the history should be written, preserved and made accessible to interested people. Consequently, the task of writing fell to the third generation, for the most part. They had not been eye witnesses of the actual happenings. Although much information had escaped them, these writers went back into their minds to recall stories that their parents and grandparents had told them. They studied obituaries, read tombstones, looked through diaries, scanned newspapers, and checked county and other records. The results are gratifying and these family histories should arouse a great deal of pride in the minds of the descendants.
In these early settlers, there was a natural impulse to make the most of life — a quality that is still a driving force in today's people of this area. These pioneers were progressive, courageous, ambitious, determined and adventurous. With these qualities came kindliness, compassion and love of family and friends. And, over and above all these attributes, was the possession of a faith in God who sustained and directed them through difficult years.
However, the greatness of these early prairie people, regardless of nationality, came to full flower in their children and grandchildren. These foreign born Americans had clung to their languages, but the second generation discarded that and became a part of the great American melting pot. Today's families will be represented by many nationalities. Barriers between nationalities and religions have disappeared. Any descendant of those early people can now say with pride, “I have a goodly heritage,” as did the great psalmist in Psalm 16:7.
Someone said, “He who praises his ancestors, praises the deeds.” That is, in part the aim of this volume in addition to the preservation of the records of their activities.
By Matilda L. Stoxen