JEFFERSON COUNTY, situated toward the south part of Illinois. Area, 576 square miles. Face of the country level. Seat of justice, Mount Vernon. Pop. in 1820, 691; in 1830, 2,555; in 1840, 5,762; in 1850, 8,109. (Fanning's, 1853)
JEFFERSON COUNTY Is situated in the south part of tho state, and has an area of 530 square miles. It is drained by the head streams of Big Muddy river, flowing in a southerly direction. The Massac & Sangamon railroad will, when completed, intersect the county and give a direct thoroughfare to the various markets of the west. The county is composed of prairie and woodland. The soil is fertile. Corn, oats, cattle and swine are the products. It contains one newspaper office, about thirty churches, and has over 2,500 pupils attending public schools. Capital, Mt. Vernon. Population, about 11,000. County Judge, John R. Satterfield; Sheriff, James Westcott. (Hawes Illinois State Gazetteer...,1859)