Manitowoc County lies on the shore of Lake Michigan and is bordered by Calumet, Sheboygan, Brown and Kewaunee Counties. When the first settlers came to the county they found it an almost impenetrable wilderness. The first permanent settlement was made in 1836, but there were others who lived in this area before then. The author covers Native American settlement, the early white settlers, community growth and foreign immigration, railroads, military affairs, politics, village and city government, churches, societies and organizations, education, business and industry, along with many other topics of interest. Illustrations of prominent citizens and area buildings are interspersed throughout the text. There are also four informative appendices containing agricultural statistics, marine statistics (clearances, tonnage and crafts built), a list of county officers and a list of village and city officers. A fullname plus subject index is also included.