Memoir of Gen'L William Wallace Grout and Autobiography of Josiah Grout (Classic Reprint)

It seems strange that I am making a book. Time was when I had great respect for books; but they now exist in such numbers that respect has given way to wonder. When a book or two fitted for the University of Nature; and a few books graduated many of our greatest men from that institution; books stood for something. Now they are so numerous; and some so frivolous, that their value is an open question. I am not expecting to produce a book of any particular value; yet I would put the acts and deeds of certain members of my family on record for future observation. William Wallace Grout lived a life and rendered a service deserving something more than a mere mention; and to give his life the prominence I feel it deserves is a part of my purpose. My respected and honored parents and grandparents acted such a part in the drama of life, as to deserve a record that may be read and considered of men. Their lives were so exemplary in many interesting respects that an important lesson may be drawn from a contrast between their time and the haste and waste of now. I wish also to put what I have done in my lifetime in form for criticism; and shall say something about the Grouts in general, so that their ancestry may be better known. What appears in this book will be intended to make clearer the lives of those considered; and it is expected the book will be quite Grouty. Without malevolence or any kindred spirit, if, perchance, provocation suggests, and the truth as well be told, there will be linings and scorings; and if so, there will be hewings, regardless of where the chips may fly. Sincerely, JosiAH Grout.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

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