  marion county is a county located in the u.s. state of florida. as of the 2010 census, the population was 331,298. its county seat is ocala. marion county comprises the ocala, fl metropolitan statistical area. ==history== marion county was created in 1844 from portions of alachua, mosquito (orange), and hillsborough counties. until 1853, marion county included most of what are now lake and sumter counties. in 1849, putnam county was created and took the northeast portion of marion. levy countyâs creation took some of the western portion of marion in 1877. the county is named after general francis marion of south carolina, a guerilla fighter and hero of the american revolutionary war. the act creating the county of marion of the territory of florida was signed on march 14, 1844, by the territorial governor, r. k. call. many of the early settlers of marion county were from south carolina. the county motto is "kingdom of the sun." farms in the county are known for breeding champion race horses such as affirmed and needles. === sheriff's office === shortly after marion county was formed the first known sheriff, william strifel, was appointed over the county, but the only known fact was that sheriff strifel only served for the remainder of that year. the marion county sheriffâs office came into being as a result of the state charter in 1845. the first sheriff was edmund davis howse, who was sworn in on october 31, 1845. sheriff howse served until 1851. the first jail was built about 1847 on the northwest corner of what is now the downtown square in ocala. marion countyâs first real courthouse was planned in 1850, and constructed on the town square in 1851. it was described as a two story, stately looking frame building of colonial design. the first floor contained offices, with the cour
1844_establishments_in_Florida_Territory Florida_counties Marion_County,_Florida North_Florida Populated_places_established_in_1844