PREFACE



        I make no pretentions of being an author, and but for
     the fact that so many have contributed to this work it would
     be a dismal failure.
        I asked a cousin of mine to do this ten or fifteen years
     ago and his excuse was, he was too busy with his farming
     to do so.  I then urged him further and agreed to hire a
     farm laborer for him.  He finally agreed to take up the work
     and think he did a little but God called Robert L. Rinker
     home and the work was undone and the Lantz family lost
     the best fitted man to undertake this task for he had a won-
     derful mind and information that is now gone.
         I am sorry some one else more capable did not take it
     up, but a few more years and the present generation will
     be gone and the coming one will have less information and
     so I make my little bow to the great Lantz family and will
     do my best to simply record our genealogy.  I know errors
     will be found-and many of them, but please remember I
     have written possibly two thousand letters.  Many, many
     of them were not even answered.  I begged you to let me
     hear, even sent you return postage and stationery.  I ex-
     plained to you that it was not a money making scheme to
     get up a book to sell, even made such a promise and it is
     hereby renewed that I will never sell a single copy but would
     give at least some to each family and still I could get no
     answer.  I called personally on some and was politely
     but firmly told they did not care to give information; that
     they were not interested, so please give me credit for what
     little has been done.
         I do not have this little volume copyrighted.  I reserve
     no rights.  Any one at any time has my permission to use
     any part or improve on the entire work.  I hope it will be
     done and if I am the means of inducing someone to get out
     a better work I shall feel amply repaid.  I am not wealthy in
     this world's goods but the publication of this work will not
     financially embarrass me and those receiving a copy will
     oblige me by not offering to pay for it.
          I am indebted to many for not only information but real
     help and while I cannot mention all I feel I must mention my
     nephew Milton E. Myers who for fifteen or twenty years


 NEXT