But this act failed to receive the necessary ratification by the people of the affected counties. This act was ignored by the people of Rock County. Once again, this failed to be ratified by the local people. Finally, in 1873, Lincoln County was successfully created out of the western part of Lyon County, with the support of the voters. Counties have been named for Abraham Lincoln in fifteen other states.
Every county needs a county seat, a city which serves as the seat of government for the county.
That fortunate community becomes the focal point of the county and is where the Courthouse is located. In the early days, being the county seat held out the potential for healthy growth and economic development. It is no wonder, then, that the location of the county seat can grow into a major controversy, as was the case in Lincoln County. However, when the cities of Tyler and Lake Benton began to develop due to the presence of railroad lines, several buildings were moved from Marshfield to each of those other cities. By the close of the winter of 1880-81, business had almost ceased at the Marshfield county seat.