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In order for an unorganized county to be recognized by the state of Kansas, a certain number of householders/legal electors had to petition the governor. The governor would appoint a census taker. Initially, unorganized counties were required to document that they had at least 600 inhabitants in order to be recognized as a county by the state legislature. Over time the number of residents needed to organize a county changed to 1500 and later to 2500 residents. The census was submitted to the governor who then issued a proclamation indicating that the requirements had been met, appointing county commissioners and a county clerk, and naming a county seat. Not all of these documents are available for each county.
Included in this file is the proclamation from the governor appointing county officials and designating Oberlin as the temporary county seat. Also, a letter certifying the county seat results between Decatur Center and Oberlin, with Oberlin having the most votes. A complete transcription is available by clicking "Text Version" below.
Creator: Kansas. Secretary of State
Date: 1879-1880
Item Number: 216693
Call Number: Kansas. Secretary of State's Office, County Organization Files, ca. 1861-1912
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 216693
Collections - State Archives - Secretary of State
Date - 1870s - 1879
Date - 1880s - 1880
Government and Politics - Local Government - County
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Letter
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Proclamation
Places - Cities and towns - Oberlin
Places - Counties - Decatur
Thematic Time Period - Immigration and Settlement, 1854 - 1890
Type of Material - Unpublished documents - Government records - Proclamation
Type of Material - Unpublished documents - Letters
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/216693