The 1860 census portal provides information on head of households as identified on the 1860 Census Index. For some individuals, the section and quarter section where the household was located is identified. For example, 16-NE or 22-SW. This was determined by looking at the 1860 plat map. For many head of households the location could not be identified as the name could not be found on the map as it was not there or could not be read. When the name showed up more than once, such as in the case of J. Merkel, these names were bypassed.