sentences:  Beginning on the Mississippi River where the base line, which is about three-fourths of a mile below Judge Briggs's present residence, strikes the said river; thence with the base line until it strikes the first township line therefrom; thence southeast to the southeast corner of township two south, range nine west; thence south to the southeast corner of township four north, range nine west; thence southwestwardly to the Mississippi, so as to include Alexander McNabb's farm, and thence up the Mississippi to the beginning shall constitute a separate county, to be called MONROE.Illinois "Territorial Laws 1815-16", p. 25
  
  It was named in honor of James Monroe, who had just served as United States Secretary of War and who was elected President later that same year.Its first county seat was Harrisonville, named for William Henry Harrison, former governor of the Northwest Territory and future President.