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Vermilion County
Illinois
History and Genealogy
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This Site is Available for Adoption
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History of Vermilion County
from the "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois",
1901
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Vermilion County, an eastern county, bordering on the Indiana State
line, and drained by the Vermilion and Little Vermilion Rivers, from which it takes its name. It was originally
organized in 1826, when it extended north to Lake Michigan. Its present area is 926 square miles. The discovery
of salt springs, in 1819, aided in attracting immigration to this region, but the manufacture of salt was abandoned
many years ago. Early settlers were Seymour Treat, James Butler, Henry Johnston, Harvey Lidington, Gurdon S. Hubbard
and Daniel W. Beckwith. James Butler and Achilles Morgan were the first County Commissioners. Many interesting
fossil remains have been found, among them the skeleton of a mastodon (1868). Fire clay is found in large quantities,
and two coal seams cross the county. The surface is level and the soil fertile. Corn is the chief agricultural
product, although oats, wheat, rye, and potatoes are extensively cultivated. Stock-raising and wool-growing are
important industries. There are also several manufactories, chiefly at Danville, which is the county-seat. Coal
mining is carried on extensively, especially in the vicinity of Danville. Population (in 1880): 41,588; in 1890:
49,905; in 1900: 65,635
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History of Danville
from the "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois",
1901
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Danville, the county-seat of Vermilion County, on Vermilion River
and on five important lines of railroad; in rich coal-mining district and near large deposts of shale and soapstone,
which are utilized in manufacture of sewer-pipe, paving and fire-clay brick. The city has car-shops and numerous
factories, water-works, electric lights, paved streets, several banks, 27 churches, five graded schools and one
high school, and six newspapers, three daily. A Soldiers' Home is located three miles east of the city. Pop (1890),
11,491. (1900) 16,354.
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