Di, First let me try and answer your questions based some on fact and some on experience. _How is the bio in question placed in the book in relation to other information, (i.e. is it just an alpha-surname listing? Are the bio's in geographically relevant placement--chapter structure, etc.). Unlike most traditional county histories of the 1880's era, this book is strictly a biographical volume. There are no chapters and the bio's are in not set structure that I can figure out. They are neither in alphabetical, nor geographical order. Just bio's from page 1 to 982. I due suspect that bio number 1 came at an extra price to someone. _Does the book have further information on how the biographical data was acquired, (i.e. interviewer's names, dates, supplier's identity?) As with bio's in other county histories, the information came from the family. It is unclear if they were published as written, written with assistance of the publisher or their local representative, or edited by the publisher. There is no bibliography or footnotes identifying the source of the information. It was likely a family project, however these generally contain some "flowery" language that had to have been crafted by a trained writer. In some cases, there are biographies of people who died previously. These were obviously submitted by the family. Here is the preface to the 1901 History: "The importance of placing in book form biographical history of representative citizens - both for its immediate worth and for its value to coming generations - is admitted by all thinking people; and within the past decade there has been a growing interest in this commendable means of perpetuating biography and family genealogy. That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this nature needs no assertion at our hands; for one of our greatest Americans has said that the history of any country resolves itself into the biographies of its stout, earnest and representative citizens. This medium, then, serves more than a single purpose: while it perpetuates biography and family genealogy, it records history, much of which would be preserved in no other way. In presenting the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to its patrons, the publishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the encouragement and support their enterprise has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the many unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. In nearly every instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from those immediately interested, and then submitted in type-written form for correction and revision. The volume, which is one of generous amplitude, is placed in the hands of the public with the belief that it will be found a valuable addition to the library, as well as an invaluable contribution to the historical literature of the State of Wisconsin. THE PUBLISHERS." _Any author's/editor's notes or preface on how the subject selections were made? This is an interesting question that many genealogists may not be aware of. >From :The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy," by Val D. Greenwood, "A feature of many local histories is a biographical section with short historical sketches of prominent citizens and early settlers in the locality. Some of these are quite authentic because the families provided the information, and others contain many errors for the same reason. Those books which specialized in biographical sketches accompanied with pictures of the persons named therein are often referred to by book dealers and genealogists as "mug books" because anyone could get his "mug" in one if he paid the fee, and no one could if he didn't." >From "Preserving Your American Heritage, by Norman E. Wright, "Many of these earlier histories were the work of commercial businesses that solicited subscriptions from local citizens to finance publication. For a price almost anyone could become prominent, and for additional fees pictures and sketches of farms and outbuildings were included. Biographical sections extolled in extravagant terms the lives of the simplest citizens, for those who could afford the subscription price. Unfortunately many otherwise stalwart citizens were not included." This is really no different than many "Who's Who" type publications done today. I have heard that many early newspapers limited obituaries and mentions of births and marriages to paid subscribers...quid pro quo. _Accuracy. You asked about this before. As stated above, there can be problems. Some could be a simple as typographical errors made in the publication process. Some could be bad memory or overactive imagination. Other information is simply "left out" for some reason. A case in point is the bio. of my GGGG Uncle, Seymour Taft, in the 1884 History of Crawford Co. Even though he married a 3rd time to Mari's (our Mari) GG-something Grandmother in 1879, she isn't mentioned, even though his first two wives were. And now, here is the biography of Mary J. Shinoe: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, 1901, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, Pg. 571-2: MRS. MARY J. SHINOE, not now actively interested in the business cares which absorbed her attention for many years, and living quietly and at her ease in the town of Paris, Grant county, was born in Allegheny county, Penn., Aug. 18, 1838. Alexander and Jane (Dalgril) McPherson, her parents, were both natives of Scotland, where they were reared. While they were still young people they came to Allegheny county, Penn., and there they were married and made their home some five or six years. Mr. McPherson was a shoemaker, and followed his trade while living in Pennsylvania. In 1844, Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, with their family, moved West, and effected a settlement at the mouth of the Big and Little Platte rivers, in Grant county, where he ran a ferry boat for a number of years. While living on the Platte he purchased a farm of 160 acres of wild land two miles west of Dickeysville. This place he cleared up, erected good farm buildings, and made a comfortable home for his family, occupying same until 1881, when he sold out and moved to Phillipsburg, Kans. where he purchased a home and lived until his death, in 1898. Mrs. McPherson died in 1882, in Kansas. Of their family of nine children, three died while children: (1) Mary J., Mrs. Shinoe, was their eldest child, and received her education in the common schools of Grant county. (2) James McPherson, the eldest son and second child, was born in Pennsylvania in 1840, and died while a soldier in the Civil War. He was a member of Company I, 25th Wis. V. I. (3) Robert McPherson, born in Pennsylvania in 1844, was a soldier in the Civil war, serving until its close as a member of the 33d Wis. V. I. He married Miss Montie Dickey, of Dickeysville, Grant county, and now resides on a farm near Phillipsburg, Kans. They have three children, Frank, Estella and Maggie. (4) Alex McPherson, born in Grant county, enlisted when a boy of sixteen in the 43d Wis. V. I., and served until the close of the Rebellion. Returning from the war, he married Miss Henrietta Meighey, and now resides on his farm in the town of Paris. They a family of nine children, Estella, Alex, John, Arthur, Emaline, Bessie, Maggie, Gertrude, and Etta. (5) William McPherson, born in Grant county, is married, and now lives in Ironton, Iowa. He is the father of four children; we have record of three, Susan, Jennie, and William. (6) Julia McPherson, born in Grant county, is now the wife of John Ferguson, who lives near Phillipsburg, Kans. They have one son, James. In March, 1856, Mary J. McPherson was married to Lewis Shinoe, a native of Virginia, then living in Grant county. Jeremiah Shinoe, his father, moved into Ohio when Lewis was very young, and after a short stay in that State came to Wisconsin, where the family made a permanent location. During the Civil war, in September, 1862. Mr. Shinoe enlisted in Company I, 25th Wis. V. I., and served with his regiment on the Minnesota frontier, in Kentucky and Missouri, and then with Gen. Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. While in the campaign around Atlanta Mr. Shinoe was taken sick, and his malady proving serious, he was sent home on a furlough. He died in January, 1864, after having faithfully performed his every duty as a citizen and a soldier. Mr. Shinoe was greatly honored and esteemed by his comrades, as well as by the people of his own community. Mrs. Shinoe was left at the home in Dickeysville with four little children. After her husbands death she bought the Allen Taylor farm, and there lived until recently, now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Folts. (1) Martha J. Shinoe, the eldest child of this estimable lady and her honored husband, was born in the town of Paris in 1857, and is now the wife of James Harvey, of Remsen, Iowa. They are the parents of six children, Orvil, Maud, Bessie, Benjamin, Roy and Carl. (2) John L. Shinoe, born in Grant county in 1858, married Miss Othie Rister, and is now living in Bottineau county, N. Dak. They have six children, Pearl, Ernest, Effie, Nellie, Burt and Bertha James. (3) Nora Shinoe, born in February, 1861, married Benjamin Folts, now of the town of Paris, a veteran of the Civil War, in which he was a member of Company K. 44th Wis. V. I., serving throughout that desperate struggle. They have one son, Leslie B. Mr. Folts was born in Milwaukee in 1846, a son of David and Mary Folts, who came west from Pennsylvania, and settled in Jamestown, Grant county, where the father is still living at a ripe old age. In 1891 Mr. Folts purchased his present home in the town of Paris, and here he has since followed farming. (4) Benjamin F. Shinoe, born in 1863, is unmarried, and resides on his farm in North Dakota. Mr. Shinoe was always a Republican in politics. Mrs. Shinoe is a member of the Congregational Church of Mount Zion. She deserves more than passing mention in a work like this. Left a widow, with a family of small children, and smaller resources, she has battled successfully with the difficulties of life, and has reared a family of children in whom she takes much pride and comfort. One final comment. You will notice the name of the town Dickeysville. That is what it used to be called. Today it's Dickeyville. Enjoy, Dave Taft