Because the history deals with names, facts, families, dates and statistics, it is not immune to error. Clarence Phillips, a retired journalist, was a careful researcher, but because he relied primarily on the 1883 and 1909 histories there may well be errors in the manuscript undetectable now, as then. Not only did progressive leaders here provide for the successful settlement of their own surroundings through the United States Land Office at Palestine, but they also contributed greatly to settling Illinois. There were 10 land offices in the state, but initially all of the northern part of Illinois was hostile Indian country. State archives recite statistics of the tremendous land sales to more and more newcomers, from the Land Office's inception in 1820 to its removal to Springfield in 1855.
Historians are aware of the unique distinctions in the story of early Crawford County.
It lists, alphabetically, early names, events, affairs of government and colorings of the period for quick reference. The names of early settlers in each Township mentioned in the 1883 History, with brief sketches of Township history, appear in Part Two along with other material impractical for insertion.