GenGateway

The plan of this history of Branch County comprises in the first place a connected, consecutive statement of all the facts of general interest relating to the territory now comprising that County, from the earliest accounts down to the present time, embracing a short description of its natural characteristics, and a pretty full record of the principal events occurring within its limits, or in which its residents have been actors. This portion of the work adheres very closely to the chronological order, and includes the history of the Pottawattamie Indians, — the old-time occupants and lords of the Saint Joseph Valley, — an account of the treaties by which that valley was transferred to the whites, an out- line sketch of the first settlement of the county, a record of some of the more prominent features of its development, and the ever interesting story of the achievements of the gallant sons of Branch County in the war for the Union. This consecutive account is supplemented by several chapters, the subjects of which cannot well be incorporated in that account; such as sketches of the various county societies, a list of the principal officers, a history of the Stale school, etc., etc. The whole, thus far, covers near a hundred of the first pages of the volume, and constitutes the general history of the county.