Newton county is situated on the west boundary of the State, its northern line being only thirty miles south of Lake Michigan. It comprehends an area of 390 square miles, or 249,600 acres. It is principally prairie land, although there is some good timber in the central portion. The northern third of the county is very wet and swampy. Beaver lake, covering an area of about 13,000 acres, and the Kankakee river, forming the northern boundary, renders this at present a very undesirable tract of country. However it only remains for the people of this section to inaugurate a grand scheme of drainage to render this one of the most fertile spots in the State. The southern half, or two thirds of the county consists of dry and rolling prairie land, susceptible of the highest cultivation.
Kentland, the county seat, a town of about 1,500 inhabitants, is  situated near the  south line,  and  on  the Toledo, Peoria and "Warsaw railroad. This is a new but very fast growing town, full of wide-awake business men, and will very soon become a place of considerable importance. The county was organized in 1859.