( 
90 
Especially ought we, of this most highly favored and promising county, 
to endeavor, by mutually exciting a laudable emulation and a desire for 
the acquisition, cultivation and dissemination of information amongst 
ourselves, not only to preserve the exalted and most enviable rank we 
hold among our sister counties, but to make yet nobler and more effectual 
advances in our agricultural and industrial pursuits. 
How extremely gratifying it must be to pioneer settlers of this yet 
new country, as they this day turn their eyes backward but a little 
and survey the past, reflect upon the present, and contemplate the future. 
They may challenge the production of a parallel in this or any other 
State of this broad and beautiful West. Fifteen years ago, and numbering 
all that claimed habitation within the limits of the county, only thirty - 
eight could be found. Thirteen years ago and only sixty-seven had made 
their homes in this county, while to-day it is safe to estimate it at not 
less than twenty-six thousand of as hardy, industrious and intelligent a 
people as can be found in any of the older States of the Union. We 
mark the change in the past with astonishment, and wonder what the 
fathomless future may develope. The history of that past which we 
have as a guide, gives only a faint conception of the great unknown fu¬ 
ture opening upon us, and to open upon those who are soon to follow af¬ 
ter us. From that past, as we cast our eyes but a little farther back¬ 
ward, we can see that events big with interest to ourselves and our suc¬ 
cessors press rapidly in its footsteps. 
The history of this Western Country is without a parallel in the annals 
of the world. It stands forth by itself unapproachable in its beauty, 
fertility and the rapidity of its settlement and subjugation to civilization 
and subserviency to the necessities and luxuries of life. Indeed we can¬ 
not find words to express our admiration as we contemplate these either 
singly or collectively. 
Nature has here lavished her richest charms on every hand in luxu¬ 
riant profusion. A sky of unsurpassed brilliancy; a climate as nearly 
faultless as any in our latitude, and a soil, whose surface is spread out in 
most inviting loveliness, deeply and richly laden with the most precious- 
elements of productiveness, have not failed to present their attraction, 
V 
and win to our soil occupants from the most desirable portion of commu¬ 
nity in the older and more densely occupied portion of the East, with a 
