The publication of A. T. Andreas' Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa - 1875 was the most monumental Iowa history up to that time. As a reference tool it far eclipses any and all other volumes. As a matter of fact, nothing that has been printed since 1875 would begin to include, as does Andreas, the varied aspects of the Iowa scene from the beginnings of white settlement to 1875.

Of the 596 pages in this colossal undertaking, 361 pages are pictorial. The remaining 233 pages are divided as: Biographical Sketches 31; Iowa, Topography, Geology, Climate, 4; State History 26; County Histories 84; Patrons of the Atlas 56; Business Directory of Patrons 18.

Between 1865 and 1885 Andreas published, independently or with associates, approximately thirty county and state atlases.

Names appearing in the 1881 Mills Co. History are not listed.

The directory lists surname, business, nativity, year came to state, P.O. and township