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Acknowledgments Every author is indebted to the people who made his or her work easier on a book’s journey to publication. I am among those standing in appreciation of the archivists, reference librarians, curators of graphic materials, and other experts who are so knowledgeable. For me, the thank-yous begin and end at home. The William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan in my hometown is a wonderful source of scholarship; its staff, especially Brian Dunnigan and Clayton Lewis, has been extremely helpful in getting this book off the ground. The assistance provided by the Clements staff is, however, matched by another hometown bibliophile’s dream, the Bentley Historical Library, also of the University of Michigan. I am especially grateful to Malgosia Myc, assistant reference archivist, for her help and timely retrieval of vital materials. I also spent considerable research time at the Ann Arbor District Library. I wish to thank my editors at the University of Michigan Press—Ellen McCarthy, Scott Ham, and Kevin Rennells—for their guidance, patience, and willingness to answer questions. Emily Westlake and Mike Kehoe at the Press helped with promotions. And I bow in the general direction of the staff at the Library of Michigan in Lansing for its unfailing support. At the Archives of Michigan in Lansing, two people in particular need to be thanked: Julie K. Meyerle, processing archivist at the State Archives of Michigan, and Mark E. Harvey, reference archivist at the Michigan Historical Center. Julie arranged for many of the photographs used in this book. The Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library is another treasure trove for scholars of Stevens T. Mason and early Michigan history. Dawn Eurich, archivist, was most helpful to me, and I was constantly reminded that people like her are underappreciated, probably underpaid, but most cer- tainly not unloved. Bob Mason of the J.R. Thompson Company offered words of encouragement in writing about his illustrious forebear. I thank David G. Kowalewski, manager of the Harris Funeral Homes in the Detroit area, for allowing me some precious private time with Stevens T. Mason before the Boy Governor’s reinterment. Kerry K. Chartkoff, Capitol Historian, provided some insights on Mason’s governorship. Jen Luton, my always cooperative photographer , applied her keen shooter’s eye to some of the photographs appearing in this book. I stand on the shoulders of the Boy Governor’s previous biographers and on the historians and authors whose writings shed light on Michigan’s difficult path to statehood and her turbulent early history. If I have forgotten anyone who is due a nod of thanks, I apologize for my oversight. In the course of researching and writing a book, there are so many people who offer support, kindly words, and valuable criticism. As always, I take full responsibility for factual errors that may have crept into the text and for omissions. And the circle of thanks is complete with an acknowledgment to my wife, Jeannette, for her skills as an editor and critical thinker; she would keep my writing on track and gently but firmly point out when verbosity was taking the place of economy. All authors should have this kind of home support. Don Faber July 2012, Ann Arbor, Michigan ...

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