JACKSON COUNTY, situated on the southwest boundary of Illinois, on Mississippi river. Area, 576 square miles. Face of the country, even. Seat of justice, Brownsville. Pop. in 1820, 1,542; in 1830, 1,872; in 1840, 3,566; in 1850, 5,862. (Fanning's, 1853)
JACKSON COUNTY Is situated in the south part of the state, bordering on Missouri, and has an area of 645 square miles. It is bounded on the southwest by the Mississippi river, intersected by Big Muddy river, and also drained by Beaucoup and other creeks. The surface is diversified. Fountain Bluff, an eminence remarkable for its form, which rises 400 feet in height, is situated in the south-west part. Extensive mines of coal have been found on the banks of Big Muddy river. Salt is also obtained from springs in the vicinity of the same stream. The county is intersected by the Illinois Central and Belleville and Murphrysboro railroads. The latter is only part completed. Corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, pork and cattle, are the staples. Capital, Murphrysboro. Population, 8,500. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer...,1859)