ROCK ISLAND, county, III. Situated in the n. w. part of the stale, and contains 366 sq. ms. The Mississippi river runs on its w. boundary. Drained by Rock r. The surface is various. The soil is fertile, and along the Mississippi is a rich alluvion. Capital, Rock Island City. There were in 1840, neat cattle 3 266, sheep 763, swine 6,569; wheat 21,170 bushels produced, Ind. com 106,800, oats 20,815, potatoes 32,477, tobacco 750 pounds, sugar 1,261; 15 stores, cap. $35,300; I distillery, 1 pottery, 3 flouring m., 3 grist m., 6 saw m., 1 printing office, 1 periodical, 1 weekly newspaper. Cap. in manufac. $18,162. 9 sch. 206 scholars. Pop. 2,610. (Haskell's Complete Descriptive and Statistical Gazetteer of the the United States...,1840)
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, situated on the northwesterly boundary of Illinois, on the Mississippi, and traversed by Rock river. Area, square miles. Seat of justice, Rock Island. Pop. in 1850, 6,397. (Fanning's, 1853)
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY Is situated in the west-north-west part of Illinois, bordering on the Mississippi, which separates it from Iowa, and has an area of 350 square miles. It is situated on both sides of Rock river, which forms part of the south-eastern boundary. It derives its name from an island in the channel of the Mississippi river. The greatest length is about 70 miles, following the course of the river; the breadth varies from 8 to 6 miles. The surface is diversified; the soil good. Corn, wheat, oats and hay are the staples. There are a large number of fine churches, several newspaper-offices, and numerous pupils attending public schools. The county contains an abundance of coal and limestone. Rock river furnishes excellent water power at its mouth. The Chicago and Rock Island railroad has its western terminus in this county. Capital, Rock Island. Population about 20,000. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer...,1859)