Wayne County History
Source: "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois", 1901

In the southeast quarter of the State; has an area of 720 square miles; was organized in 1819, and named for General Anthony Wayne. The county is watered and drained by the Little Wabash and its branches, notably the Skillet Fork. At the first election held in the county, only 15 votes were cast. Early life was exceedingly primitive, the first settlers pounding corn into meal with a wooden pestle, a hollowed stump being used as a mortar. The first mill erected (of the antique South Carolina pattern) charged 25 cents per bushel for grinding. Prairie and woodland make up the surface, and the soil is fertile. Railroad facilities are furnished by the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis and the Baltimore & Ohio (Southwestern) Railroads. Corn, oats, tobacco, wheat, hay and wool are the chief agricultural products. Sawmills are numerous and there are also carriage and wagon factories. Fairfield is the county-seat.
Population in 1880 was 21,291;
1890: 23,806;
1900: 27,626.

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ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH

BOOK OF Wayne County, Illinois

By Paul F. Campbell 1903

Doctor’s

Lawyers

All Biographies

Early History of Wayne City

By A. G. Scudamore

Story of Wayne City

By Frank Coombs

Enterprise in Elm River

Elm River Church History (Brown Cumberland Presbyterian Church)

Donated by Bettie Wheat

The story of the last know Cherokee Indian in Wayne County, Lydia Gundy

Golden Gate Wanderers

Wayne Counties Poor Farm

WAR RATIONS WWII

FOOD

A voice from the Past