"History sets forth the principal events marking the progress of civilization; genealogy offers a study of dry names and dates; biography, acknowledging its indebtedness to both, concerns itself with the individual, shows personal character and action of the state of existence." Five hundred and fifty "present or former residents of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties [are] commemorated" in this collection and twenty-nine of them have their likeness included. The "lines of descent and kinship" are given, often from two or three generations and sometimes more, often including maiden names and short sketches of the lives of siblings.
Biography is "history intimately written" concerning itself with the individual and showing personal character and action. The persons whose life stories are outlined in this volume have earned the right to be commemorated by their talents, industry, energy, enterprise, fair dealing, public spirit, patriotism and self-sacrifice. These biographies provide insight into the lives and accomplishments of these former residents. Some of the notable individuals featured in this publication include printers, veterans, farmers, lawyers, businessmen, and doctors, who played important roles in the development of the counties. A few of the individuals who have made significant contributions to the communities of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties are Horace Greeley, Daniel W. Tenney, James U. Prince, Luther Hemenway, B. Frank Whiting, Ora Monroe, John McLane, James B. Merrill, Ansel Dickinson, David H. Goodell, and hundreds more. Some attention has been given to tracing lines of descent and kinship. A full-name index has been provided for easy access to information.