The author traces the origin and development of the county, describing its formation and settlement (probably three-quarters of its early settlers were of German extraction), its subsequent growth, the citizens, towns and villages, churches, schools, landmarks, businesses and industries.

Much genealogical information is included. There is, for example, a chapter on heads of families in 1785 (about 1,500 named), there are lists of militiamen and soldiers, public representatives and church members, and there are chapters of genealogical sketches and biographies. The Appendix includes, among other things, Births and Baptisms (1773-1782), Marriages (1782-1800), and Civil War Muster Rolls, and these three sections alone name more than 5,000 persons.