The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-04
ORIGIN OF COUNTY NAMES
Brief Sketches OF Kansas County
Names. Compiled by Kansas Of
fetal OF Topeka

Pawnee-Organized in 1872; county
seat, Larned. Being a part OF the
original hunting grounds of the once
powerful tribe of Indians of the name,
Pawnee was appropriately chosen for
the county when organized.
Phillips-Organized in 1872; county
seat, Phillipsburg. This county was
named in honor of William Phillips.
who was murdered in Leavenworth
September /, 1856. on account of his
movement He died a martyr 70 the
| cause that made Kansas the battle
ground Of freedom.
Pratt-Organized In 1879; county
| seat, Pratt. In 1873 this county was
| first organized, but the fraud enter
! ing into the election was exposed, and
not until 1879 was it legally made O.
civil division OF the state. 1t was
named in honor of Second Lieut. Caleb
| S. Pratt of Company D, First Kansas
infantry, who was killed in action at
Wilson's Creek, Mo-, August 10. 1861.
Rice-organized in 1871; county
| seat, Lyons. In memory of Samuel A.
Rice, a brigadier general of United
States volunteers, killed at Jenkins
Ferry. Ark, April 30. 1864, this county
was named.
Riley-Organized 1855: county seat,
Manhattan. The name of Fort Riley.
a nearby military post, which was so
|
nett Riley, United States army, was
fperpetuated by the naming of this
county.
Rooks-Organizea in 1872; county
memorates the name of a private SOL
der who distinguished himself at the
battle of Prairie Grove, Ark, Deem
Der Z. 1852, and died December II.
1852, as a result Of wounds received.
He was a member of Company I,
| inf r7fr
Russell7-Organized in 1879: county
seat, Russell. The memory of another
war hero, Capt. Ayra P. Russell. Com
panK K, Second Kansas cavalry, was
COMMUNICATED by the naming of this
county He died December IL, 1862,
in a field hospital near Prairie Grove,
Ark. from wounds received at the
memorable Prairie Grove battle, De-
cember 6. 1852.
st. John-Organized in 1881, as a
compliment to the prohibition gov
ernor and leader, John P. st. John, but
by legislative enactment February "a,
1887. the name was changed to Logan,
in honor of Gen. John A. Logan, for
the reason. 1t IS said that the activities
of the ex-governor in politics was not
that the war hero Would be more &C.
ceptable as godfather.
Saline-Organizeds Vim 1851 county
seat, Sa1ina. The Saline river, which
drains mucn OF this county, was re-
sponsible for its name
Scott-Organized in 1886; county
seat, Scott City. While the boundaries
OF Scott county were defined in 1873,
it was not until thirteen years later
that the Organization was effected
Gen. Winfield Scott, the hero of the
Mexican war. and major general of the
United States army. was memorialzed
in the naming of this county.
Sedgwick-Organiz in 1870; coun-
ty seat. Wichita. Named for Maj
Gen. John sedgwick. q. S. A. volun.
,teers, killed in battle at Spottsylvania
Va, May q, 1864.
Seward-Organized 1886; count,
, seat. Liberal. This county name com
memorates the statesman. William H
Seward, who was governor of New
, York, United States senator from thai
, state. and secretary of state In tbs
J cabinet Of President Lincoln
Reno-Organized in 1879: county
seat, Hutchinson. Gen. Jesse l. Reno'i
, valiant service for his country as cap
. tain in the United States army. and
; major general of volunteers. was up
permost I'm the minds of those dele
gated with authority to choose mans
for this large central county. Genera
? Reno was killed in battle Septembel
: II, 1852, South Mountain. Maryland.
Republic-Organize in 1858; coun
ty seat. BeIleviile. Named for the Re
} publican river. which was so-cailet
5 for the reason that 1t coursed thru tn,
valley OF the "Pawnee Republic" 1
, designation given to It by the Pawne'
{ Indians.
e Stanton-Organized IN 1887: count.
I seat. Johnson This county wa
{ named for President Lincoln's secre
( itary Of war. Edwin * Stanton.