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Jefferson County

Is bounded on the north by Dodge county, east by Milwaukee, south by [Rock] Walworth and Rock counties and west by Dane. It is twenty four miles square or four townships wide and four long; being townships five six seven and eight in ranges thirteen fourteen fifteen and sixteen. The county seat is at Jefferson near the "Forks" of Rock river and very near the centre of the county. It was set off from Milwaukee county in 1836 and organized as a separate county in 1839. The population of Jefferson county in 1838 [was 448] two years after the first settlement was commenced, was 468; in 1840 it had increased to 914, and in 1842 to 1638; It may now be safely estimated at 2500.

That portion of the county lying east of Rock river and north of Bark river is covered with timber, among which may be found some of the finest trees in the Territory; the remainder of the county is "openings" except a few square miles near the

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