8/30/2008:
In 1881, the Dakota Territorial Legislature approved a bill authorizing the creation of a new county carved out of the southern portion of Pembina County and the northern portion of Grand Forks County.
Sponsored by George H. Walsh of Grand Forks, President of the Dakota Territorial Council, the bill to create Walsh County was initially vetoed by the governor, but passed by a legislative override of the veto.
Before Walsh County could be organized, the legislative act required that the residents of the new territory approve the measure through a vote. Election results tallied in May of 1881 showed 293 in favor of the new county and only eight against its formation. Governor Ordway appointed the first board of county commissioners and on this day, August 30, 1881, they first met at the home of George P. Harvey to organize Walsh County.
Sources:
Berg, Gunder V., ed. Walsh Heritage: A Story of Walsh County and Its Pioneers. Vol. 1. Walsh County, ND: Walsh County Historical Society, 1976.