WHITE COUNTY, situated on the southeasterly boundary of Illinois, with Wabash river on the east. Area, 480 square miles. Face of the country, even; soil, fertile. Seat of justice, Carmi. Pop. in 1820, 4,828; in 1830, 6,091; in 1840, 7,919; in 1850, 8,925. (Fanning's, 1853)
WHITE COUNTY A county in the south-east part of the state, bordering on Indiana, has an area of about 500 square miles. It is bounded on the east by the Wabash river, intersected by the Little Wabash, and also drained by Skillet fork of the Wabash. The county is well timbered and has several small prairies. The soil is excellent. Wheat, oats, tobacco, cattle and pork are among the staples. It contains several churches, and over 1,000 pupils attending public schools. The Wabash river is navigable by steamboats on the border. The Little Wabash affords valuable water power. At Carmi it is traversed by the line of the Wabash Valley railroad. A plank road extends from Graysville to Albion, named in honor of Colonel White, who formerly resided in this section of the state. Population, about 1,000. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer...,1859)