The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-11
ORIGIN OF COUNTY NAMES
Brief Sketches of Kansas County
Names. Compiled by Kansas Of
fetal of Topeka.

Thomas-Organized in 1885; county
seat, Colby. In memory of Maj. Gen.
George II. Thomas, United States army
("Pap" Thomas), whose record of
army service stamped him as worthy
of a nations honors. He died in 1870.
Trego-Organized in 1879; county
seat. Wakeeney. This county was
named in memory of Capt. Edgar H.
Trcgo. commanding Company H, Sth
TENDER 10. 1863, at Chickamauga,
Tenn.
wabaunsee-Organi in 1859;
county seat, Alma. This county was
originally created Richardson county
in 1855, named for a pro-slavery MEM
Der of the territorial council of Kan
sas territory, 1857, Col. William P.
Richardson, a Democratic leader in
the house of Representatives in the
debate on the Kansas-Nebraska bill.
But four years later, when Kansas had
become a state, other counsel pre-
vailed. an Indian chief OF the Potta-
watomie tribe was given the honor
and the name of Richardson was eff
faced from the list of counties. Wa
baunsee. the Indian chief was promi-
nent in his tribe when it was located
in Illinois.
Washington-Organ in 1860;
was named in honor of George Wash
ington, the first president of the
United States.
Wallace-Organize in 1868; coun-
~ seat, Sharon Springs. In memory
OF Gen. Lew Wallace of Indiana,
famed as soldier and author, and
whose book, Ben Hur," is 'one of the
classics of the literary world.
Wichita-Organized in 1886; county
seat, Leoti. The name Wichita is a
modernized spelling of the Indian
name Ouichita, tribe which was rec
ogntzed in the first draft of the county
boundaries of which were defined in
1873.
Wilson-Organized in 1865; county
seat, Fredonia. In honor of Col. Hero
T. Wilson of Fort Scott. this county
was named when the county's boun-
daries extended to the south line of
the state, in 1865.
Woodson-Organized in 1855; coun-
~ seat, Yates Center. This county
was named in honor of Daniel Wood
son, secretary of Kansas territory, and
for time acting governor, following
the resignation of Governor Shannon,
in 1856.
yandotte-Organized in 1859:
county seat, Kansas City. The WAN
dotte tribe of Indians were given rec
ognition by the naming of this county.
and the same name was given the
county seat, but in a well directed
campaign of greater Kansas CITY. -
the Missouri town across the river in
ducrd the changing of the name from
Wyandotte to Kansas City, Kan. Thus
the largest city in Kansas in a degree
lost its identity.
Shawnee-Organized in 1855; coun-
~ seat. Topeka. capital of Kansas.
Since the county was a part of the
Shawnee Indian lands, the name was
chosen in compliment to the tribe and
the favorable treaty negotiated with
the Shawnees in 1854. Gen. H ].
Stricken. of Tecumseh, a member of
the territorial council, contended for
the name Shawnee, but the Rev.
Thomas johnson protested that he
wanted that name for the county to
be established where the council was
being held. The committee yielded to
Strickler. and Johnson's name was
given to the county from which he
hailed.
Sheridan-Organized in 1880; coun-
~ seat, Hoxie. The illustrious Lit
tie Phil" Sheridan, philip HI, lieu