Kansas Counties

Find information on current and defunct counties:

Shirley County, Kansas [defunct]

Date Established:	February 27, 1860
Date Organized:	September 06, 1866
Date Defunct:	May 27, 1867
Location:
Boundaries:	Composed of townships 5, 6, 7, 8 and south in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 west of the 6th principal meridian
County Seat:	Elk Creek
Origin of Name:	The county was most likely named for William Shirley, governor of Massachusetts Colony from 1741 to 1756. Andreas's History of Kansas, however, asserts it was as a joke named for Jane Shirley, a lady of questionable character in the Leavenworth area. By request of the first representative, J.B. Rupe, the name was changed in 1867 to Cloud County.
History:	Shirley County was attached to Marshall County for judicial purposes prior to its organization.
Population:	No Data Available.
Other Resources:	Post offices in Shirley County