For Whatever it is Worth

[W. Gray]

Most folks are probably aware that Godfrey County came first, Seward County second, Howard County third, and then Elk County.

Godfrey County was created in 1855.

Godfrey County became Seward County in 1861.

Seward County became Howard County in 1867.

Howard County became Elk and Chautauqua counties in 1875.

The physical locations of Howard, Moline, Longton, and Elk Falls were in each of those four counties.

However, the physical location of Grenola was first in Hunter County, then in Butler County, and then in Howard County.

Butler County absorbed both Irving and Hunter counties.

Howard County was formed by adding a slice of eastern Butler to western Seward.

Cowley County was then formed from southern Butler.

After the dust settled, Butler was the largest organized county in Kansas (still is) and Howard the second largest.