From An Illustrated History of Wisconsin, 1875 ---
Waushara County comprises 18 townships, and is in the shape of a parallelogram, being 18 miles wide and 36 miles long. General topography of the county is level; some bluffs in the northern and central towns; swamp at the mouth of Pine River and Willow Creek. The three eastern towns are heavily timbered, with the exception of some quite large tracts of marsh. These marshes are valuable for the cultivation of cranberries. The soil in the timber porportions of the county is of clay-loam; on the prairies, black loam, and in the openings, sandy. County contains 207,360 acres of land; one-tenth being under cultivation.
The county is well watered by Pine River and Willow Creek, both good millstreams, on which are several saw and grist mills. In addition to these streams, almost every farmer has what he calls a fountain, or flowing well, the water never freezing in the coldest weather in winter, and always sufficient to supply any amount of stock. The forests of the county contain all varieties of timber, such as are found in North America. They have large beds of clay, that make cream-colored brick, and with the facilities for manufacturing, would be equal to any manufactured in the state; also potters clay of excellent quality, which makes superior stone ware.
Of the principal rivers and streams, Fox River on the south, Wolf River and Lake Poygan on the east are navigable. Pine River, Willow Creek and Mecan River are larger streams, and stocked with fish. Small game is abundant. Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, at Berlin, is half a mile from the south line of the county, and will be extended through it. The Wisconsin Central passes fourteen miles north; and a road from Princeton to Stevens Point will be built from Berlin to Weyauwega, through the three eastern towns, connecting the Milwaukee and St. Paul with the Wisconsin Central Railway.
The principal industry of the town is agricultural; wheat, rye, corn, oats, and potatoes being raised to perfection. A large amount of hay is also raised. There are seven custom flouring mills, ten or more saw mills, and three carding machines in the county. All these would be well sustained.