The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Houston (counties)

HOUSTON. I. A central county of Georgia, bounded E. by the Ocmulgee river, which is navigable by steamboats, and drained by several of its affluents; area, 875 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 20,406, of whom 15,332 were colored. The surface is undulating, and the soil, of limestone formation, is very fertile. The Southwestern railroad passes through the county. The chief productions in 1870 were 3,536 bushels of wheat, 363,895 of Indian corn, 40,107 of sweet potatoes, and 3,819 bales of cotton. There were 834 horses, 2,730 mules and asses, 1,502 milch cows, 3,890 other cattle, and 10,963 swine; 1 manufactory of agricultural implements, 3 of carriages, 1 of cotton goods, 1 flour mill, and 7 saw mills. Capital, Perry. II. A S. E. county of Texas, bounded E. by Neches river, and W. by Trinity river, both navigable; area, 1,090 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 8,147, of whom 3,542 were colored. It has a highly fertile soil, and a rolling surface diversified in some places with hills, and well timbered with oak, pine, ash, hickory, black walnut, &c. The Houston and Great Northern railroad traverses it. The chief productions in 1870 were 33,163 bushels of Indian corn, 5,779 of sweet potatoes, and 920 bales of cotton. There were 297 horses, 2,684 cattle, and 3,171 swine. Capital, Crockett. III. A N. W. county of Tennessee, formed since the census of 1870, bounded W. by the Tennessee and N. E. by Cumberland river; area, about 350 sq. m. The surface is undulating and the soil fertile. The Louisville and Nashville and Great Southern railroad passes through the N. part. The assessed value of property in 1871 was $344,775. Capital, Erin. IV. A S. E. county of Minnesota, separated on the E. from Wisconsin by the Mississippi, bordering on Iowa on the S., and intersected by Root river; area, about 575 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 14,936. The surface is undulating and mostly wooded, only about a fifth being occupied by prairies. The soil, resting on magnesian limestone, is very fertile. The Southern Minnesota and the Chicago, Dubuque, and Minnesota railroads intersect it. The chief productions in 1870 were 623,557 bushels of wheat, 249,761 of Indian corn, 227,688 of oats, 31,182 of barley, 32,065 of potatoes, 27,560 lbs. of hops, 14,286 of wool, 229,183 of butter, and 14,776 tons of hay. There were 2,917 horses, 3,614 milch cows, 4,536 other cattle, 4,697 sheep, and 6,305 swine; 1 car factory, 6 flour mills, and 2 saw mills. Capital, Caledonia.