I had not planned on sending this information, but it may contain data that some might be interested in. I certainly do not want to send information that is not useful, so if it is no interest, send it to "recycle." When, in 1885, the "History of Crawford County" was published by my friends, Messrs. Warner, Beers & Co., of Chicago, I was desirous of having my personal and family sketch appear in that volume in a more elaborate and exhaustive form than it does; but at the time of giving the several data to the agent, I found I had no practical biographer by my side to aid me in the undertaking. That sketch is like the capitol of our country--it is unfinished, "but the work goes bravely on." We too often ask others to do for us what we can do for ourselves. Harriet Beecher Stowe, in conversation about her "Uncle Tom's Cabin," said that no one was more surprised than herself at the result. "At first," said the authoress, "I intended to write two or three numbers, but when I got agoing I found I could not stop." I have discovered that what I thought I could not do of myself, by Divine help I can. Nothing affords me more pleasure than to continue in the work; and the expressions of appreciation I have received from many of my kindred and friends, to whom I presented copies of my first SOUVENIR, give me great courage and hope. Some of the written acknowledgments I will here give as far as space will permit. When I sent my cousin, Bigler Roudebush (who lives at Erie, Penn.), a copy of my Souvenir, I received in return a photograph of my aunt, Clara Roudebush, with her youngest child, Bigler, in her arms. I do not know of anything that would have pleased me more. My friend, Sylvester A. Tiffany, on receiving a copy of my book, wrote me a very interesting letter, in which, after kind expressions of thanks, he says: "I wish I had such a book for my friends." A relative says of the S0UVENIR: "It is good enough for a king;" and another writes from Milwaukee, Wis.: "If you had sent me $100, although I need money, it would not have pleased me as well; may you live to write more; I think your 'Address to the Youth' is very good. God bless you." Mr. Hamilton says he "read the Souvenir, and failed to find anything that would offend, but much to please and interest." A young man, whose father was a schoolmate and scholar of mine, thus writes me: "After perusing your book, which you presented to my uncle, I longed to possess one like it, for I think between its covers are examples worthy to be imitated by any young man." I will add that this gentleman's wish was gratified. My cousin, M. S. Morehead, of Armington, Ill., writes: "I received a very interesting and valuable book from you. I am pleased and delighted in reading its pages. Many thanks, and while some incidents of sad news bring tears, some others bring joy." From Mr. J. F. Hamilton's letter, dated Muddy Creek, London Co., Tenn., March 29, 1887, I quote the following: "I am proud of the present you sent me. I think your Souvenir is so nice. I am under many and lasting obligations to you. Give our love to all the family." E. W. Harroun, from Guy's Mills, Penn., writes an interesting letter, and after expressing thanks for the book, says: "Francis, your parents and mine were eastern people from Connecticut. I remember well the last time your mother visited our home. I sat and listened to hear them talk of their girlhood days in Old Connecticut. Both were good talkers, and conversation was lively when they came together, but now they both sleep in the same burial ground--our best friends. I respect your judgment in selecting a book to give your friends; a good book is a joy forever, the same to-day or a hundred years hence." Under date of January 2, 1887, Warren Cutshall, of Pine Island, Minn., writes: "It was with great pleasure that we received your book, and we will keep it as a token of friendship. It brings back many scenes of childhood and youth--the old red school-house that I passed in going to the mill, for in those days many a grist was carried on horseback. It was not until after you were married that I became well acquainted with you." Warren Cutshall, David Finney and Henry Smith built our house in 1861. Warren is a brother of George W. Cutshall, my brother-in-law, and since his removal to Pine Island, Minn., I with others have visited his pleasant home twice, once with Mr. G. W. Cutshall and my brother in November, 1880; and in the fall of 1881 I had the pleasure again to visit him in company with Mr. and Mrs. Cutshall and Eliza, my wife. We drove across the country from Lansing, Iowa, to Pine Island, making a most enjoyable trip. I also enjoyed Warren Cutshall's and his wife's company when they were visiting relations and friends here in 1882. On one of my visits to Pine Island, I went to see, in company with G. W. Cutshall, Warren Cutshall and G. N. Waid, Pine Island Cemetery, where, I was informed, eight of the Cutshall family or kindred were interred, among them being Mrs. Warren Cutshall, my friend's first wife, and J. Cutshall, his brother, with whom I was acquainted; the names of the other relatives I can not recall. Warren Cutshall is not only a farmer, but a good carpenter and speedy workman. Some time ago when in Meadville, I was talking with one of our county commissioners, to whom I had sent a copy of my SOUVENIR, and, after thanking me heartily for it he inquired how I found "time to get up such a book." To this I replied: "During the day I thought, and in the evening I put my thoughts into writing. This my publishers printed in book form which I could present to my friends, and this pleases me very much." "Yes," added he, "and your friends too." Among the letters which appear farther on is one from my loved friend, S. N. Phelps, of Woodstock, Minn., and this letter both gratifies and instructs me. The closing remarks interest me most, for they are a theme to which I have given thought and endeavored to act in accordance with all my life, and if there is not a motive in it, then it would be a blank to me, and of no avail whatever; but it is not so conditioned. I feel I have not labored in vain, either in the Lord or for the Lord; and most heartily do I endorse the moral that whatever we do should be done unto Him, and that we should do it as those who expect they have to render an account of the deeds of this life. More to follow, David