The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows:

MACON, a county in the central part of Illinois, has an area of about 500 square miles. It is intersected by the North or principal branch of Sangamen river, dividing it into nearly equal parts. The surface is generally level, and consists of open plains or prairies, diversified by small tracts of timber; the soil is highly productive. Indian corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, and pork are the staples. In 1850 there were raised 698,220 bushels of corn; 22,226 of wheat 90,805 of oats, and 99,775 pounds of butter were made. It contained 5 churches, and 600 pupils attending public schools. The Central railroad, and the Northern Cross railroad pass through the county. Capital, Decatur. Population, 3988.