County history books are usually excellent genealogical resources. They were very popular in the 1880’s and 1890’s, particularly with northern counties, though a few counties in the south printed them, as well. They actually did have a lot of useful information on county history in them, often from the times before American settlement, and were useful as school books for students who were studying local history. Most had a section for biographies for prominent or wealthy local citizens, as well. This is where their genealogical usefulness really comes in...