John Lewis Cooprider was often asked why he undertook the task of editing this family history. One of the family members once wrote that as far as she knew, there were no famous members of the family, which is why the Lord made so many of them. They are just common people. Very few have been found who were in trouble of any kind. Now they have the reason—they are the kind of family which helped make America. They are mostly farmers, teachers, ministers, and the kind of people who make the country great.

The chronicles of any family are interesting and sacred to its members alone. Only those who care not for their destiny can be careless about their origin. He who forgets his ancestors is either foolish or wicked, or both. Few of us would like to be forgotten, and neither should the memories of our ancestors be neglected.