This history of Athens County, one of the earliest organized counties in Ohio, is carried through the 1860s. The general history begins with the Native American occupation of Ohio and goes through 1805. Particular attention is given to the history of the town and township of Athens, but the county's other townships are also discussed to varying degrees: Alexander, Ames, Bern, Canaan, Carthage, Dover, Lee, Lodi, Rome, Trimble, Troy, Waterloo, and York. Personal and biographical sketches are scattered throughout and generally run about a paragraph in length. Rosters give the names of local officials, Revolutionary soldiers, and owners of the first land lots. Brief recollections from the inhabitants lace the various chapters and longer reminiscences by Dr. Chauncey F. Perkins appear in an appendix. A rare and valuable volume.