MARATHON, a county in the N. part of Wisconsin, bordering on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, contains 5452 square miles. The Wisconsin river rises near the N. E. extremity of the county, and traverses its whole length from N. to S. The surface presents no great elevations, and is mostly covered with forests of pine, from which vast quantities of lumber are procured, and floated on rafts down to Galena, St. Louis, &c. This county was separated from Portage county in 1849-50; the land has not yet come into market, except a strip 6 miles wide along the river. Capital, Wausan. Population, 608. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
MARATHON, County, is bounded on the north and northeast by the State line, east by Waupacca and Oconto, south by Portage, and on the west by Chippewa and La Pointe. It was established from Portage, and fully organized February 9, 1850. Wausau, at Big Bull Falls on the Wisconsin river, about 20 miles north from the south line of the county, is the seat of justice. It is celebrated for its extensive regions of pine timber, and the production of pine lumber, rather than for agricultural pursuits. The mills in Adams, Portage, and Marathon, cut nearly sixty millions feet per annum. The county forms a part of the first senate and of the second congressional districts, and of the third judicial circuit, and, with Portage, sends one member to the assembly. County Officers for 1853 and 1854: Judge, Wm. H. Kennedy; Sheriff, Thos. Minton; Clerk of Court, Asa Lawrence. (John Warren Hunt, Wisconsin Gazetteer..., Madison, 1853)