Carved from the Connecticut Western Reserve, Madison Township was formally organized in 1811. Lake Erie, the Grand River, and fertile land attracted New England settlers arriving by foot and oxcart. T
Throughout the 20th century, Madison progressed slowly from a rural economy to one based on seasonal residents and then to that of a largely residential community. The development along the shoreline
On September 14, 1812, territorial governor Ninian Edwards set aside the third county of the Illinois Territory and named it Madison for his friend Pres. James Madison. The boundaries of the newly cre
This fertile and beautiful land, with its small rivers and valleys and surrounding mountains, was designated Madison County in 1792. The county was named for the family of James Madison, fourth presid
