History of Corson County
Completed by Mrs. Ellen Beranek

Prior to the creation of Corson County in 1909, that area was part of three separate and distinct counties: Schnasse, Dewey and Boreman. With the opening of the Standing Rock Reservation to white settlement came a movement to change the county borders in this section. The county was named in honor of Dwight Corson, a justice of the Supreme Court of South Dakota at the time the county was created.
Corson County was created by an Act of Legislature passed and approved March 2, 1909. It was still an unorganized county until July 13, 1909 when at an election called by Governor Vessey, it was created into an organized county. The Governor appointed an inspector for the various polling places which were: Bullhead, Thunder Hawk, Morristown, McIntosh, McLaughlin, Wakpala, Little Eagle, and Farm School.
Before the election, there was a caucus held at McIntosh in a large tent used for church purposes. The following officers were appointed: C.S. Watson, Clerk of Courts; C.A. Green, Register of Deeds; J.O. Strong, Treasurer; N.B. Bartlett, States Attorney; Guy Smalley, County Judge; Ruby Conyne, County Superintendent of Schools; J.R. Thirbet, Coroner; George Perry, Sheriff, The following commissioners were appointed, Anton De Rockbraine, Charles Duncan and J.H. McLaughlin. G.M. Comstock was elected as County Auditor but he didn't qualify. At the first meeting of the commissioners F.P. Byrne was appointed County Auditor. Mr. McLaughlin also refused to qualify and at the first meeting F.W. McGowan was appointed to fill McLaughlin's place as commissioner. At this time there was no court house and the various officers had their offices about town. At the first election the people voted on the location of the temporary county seat. The contest was between McIntosh and Morristown. McIntosh won but there is no record available as to the majority.
During the fall and spring of 1910 the City of McIntosh built the main part of the present Court House on the Court House square which had been donated to the county by the Milwaukee Land Company. However, when the addition was added to the Court House the city was reimbursed in part for the building.
In 1910, at the general election the location of a permanent County Seat was brought up and the contest was again between Morristown and McIntosh. It was generally understood that the people of McLaughlin and Morristown were voting for Morristown with the idea that the county would later be divided and that a county seat would be located at McLaughlin for the Eastern part of the county. McIntosh was again successful, making it the permanent county seat.
The publication of homestead proofs made it possible for many newspapers to do a thriving business until the homestead proofs had been taken care of. The first newspaper was the McIntosh Globe, which was published by C.S. Clemenson. The date of the first issue was November 26, 1908. In June of 1909 the Morristown World was started by F.F. Millman. Other newspapers to make their appearance early in 1909, were The McLaughlin Mirror publisher W.D. Hurlburt, Watauga Progress, W.I. Longstreth and Corson Chief by Joseph D. Parker. Later many of these newspapers either were bought out or went out of business.
Corson County Towns
-McIntosh, the county seat is the oldest town being organized early in 1910. McIntosh was named after McIntosh Brothers, who were subcontractors and had charge of the building of railroad grades in and around McIntosh.
-McLaughlin, more recently established, had become the largest town in Corson County, with a population of 806. McLaughlin was named after Colonel J.H. McLaughlin, who was at one time Superintendent of the Indian Reservation.
-Morristown was named after Nels R. Morris who was interested in the old C-7 Cattle Ranch.
-Kenel received it name from Father Martin Kenel, a pioneer priest, highly regarded in the community.
-Keldron derives its name from the word caldron, which means a large kettle or a warm place or shelter. The town is surrounded by a ring of hills which protect it and give the site the shape of a huge kettle. It was founded in 1909.
-Trail City which is partly in Dewey County and partly in Corson, was a popular watering spot.
Some of the towns bear Indian names, such as Thunder Hawk, which was named after Chief Thunder Hawk; Watauga, which means "The foam that is caused by waves washing up on the land". Wakpala means "creek" Mahto means "bear" and Tatanka means "Buffalo Bull".
The inland post offices which were established early in the history of the county have since been abandoned.
Taken from Corson County News December 1956