HANCOCK COUNTY, situated on the western boundary of Illinois, with Mississippi river on the west. Area, 775 square miles. Face of the country even, consisting of prairie land; soil productive. Seat of justice, Carthage. Pop. in 1830, 483; in 1840, 9,946; in 1850, 14,652. (Fanning's, 1853)
HANCOCK, a county in the extreme western part of Illinois, bordering on Missouri and Iowa, has an area of 720 square miles. The Mississippi river forms its W. boundary. It is also drained by Crooked creek, an affluent of the Illinois. The surface is undulating, and diversified by beautiful prairies and tracts of timber. The soil is exceedingly rich, and much improved. Indian corn, wheat, oats, hay, pork, and butter are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 689,110 bushels of corn; 189,486 of wheat; 137,947 of oats; 6076 tons of hay, and 184,652 pounds of butter. There were 13 churches, 2 newspaper offices, and 2630 pupils attending public schools. The county contains large quantities of stone coal and limestone. Capital, Carthage. Pop., 14,652. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
HANCOCK COUNTY Is situated in the extreme western part of the state, bordering on Missouri and Iowa; the Mississippi river forms its western boundary; it is also drained by Crooked creek, an affluent of the Illinois river; the surface is undulating, and diversified by beautiful prairies and tracts of timber, the soil is exceedingly rich and well improved; corn, wheat, oats, hay, pork and butter, are the staples. It contains about 20 churches, several newspaper offices, and has about 2,800 pupils attending public schools. The county contains large quantities of coal and limestone. The Northern Cross railroad to Quincy, crosses the south-east corner. Capital, Carthage. Population, 17,400. (Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer..., 1859)