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HEREWITH the complete ATLAS OF CEDAR COUNTY is presented to its subscribers, and cheerfully commended to their favor. The work is the accomplishment of a task begun nearly one year ago. The desire to furnish a publication worthy of the approval and patronage of the public has prompted as from the outset. The citizens of Cedar County, have fulfilled our expectations by their liberal subscriptions, and it is now our only hope that or labors may receive the approbation which we naturally think they merit.
After beginning such a work, where there is so much uncertainty, it is gratifying in the end to receive the practical indorsement of all the leading business men and influential citizens in the County as this work has.
Beyond any questions, the Atlas of Cedar County, for the territory of which it is descriptive, is the most complete volume ever published. The services of an average of six men for nearly one year have been required for its production. The immense labor, often almost bordering upon drudgery, which is involved in the preparation and search of data, besides the care, and worry, and expense, can only be comprehended by those experienced in similar undertaking. And yet it has been the author’s aim to shirk no hardship and to avoid no duty, to spare neither pains nor cost to make the result as complete and acceptable as possible. Records and plat books have not been found sufficiently reliable for our purpose. The statement may seem almost incredible, and yet we have personally examined every piece of farm land in, the County, besides making innumerable actual surveys where boundaries have been in doubt or of irregular shape. Indeed, in the preparation of this book there is not a creek or road in the County to which we have not given our attention, in order that we might cure the many defects always to be found in the County records. We have estimated that we have traveled over four thousand miles in examining and viewing the component parts of the different districts, and townships and villages. A map of the World, United States and Iowa, the system of the United States land survey, with the road laws, the director of Cedar County farmers, and of the business houses in County and Cities, are all believed to enhance the usefulness of a publication of this character.
It would, indeed, be ungrateful on our part, if we did not render thanks to those who have shown us so many valuable courtesies. In the course of one year there have been hundreds of people who have assisted us by furnishing information and data. It would be impossible to express our entire appreciation to each individual, and we must take this opportunity of thanking them, one and all. The various assessors, clerks and trustees of the different townships and villages, and particularly the County officers, have assisted us by so many kindnesses that we shall ever feel grateful toward them. Neither shall we forget those, who, by subscription and advertisement, have given us their encouragement.
With all the incessant toil and almost hardship involved, the preparation of this Atlas has not been without its pleasant side, and now that the work is done, we sincerely trust that it will meet the general approval of the citizens of Cedar County, for whose special benefit it has been prepared. It is the first complete Atlas ever published of the County, and while we claim no gift of prophecy, we are bold enough to predict that it will be many years before another will be needed. With this statement we present our effort to the candid judgment of the public, and hope it will win some appreciation equal to the pride we take in it, and the satisfaction of its merit will be gratification worth more than the money realized as a business venture.
THE PUBLISHER
