Twelve counties are created. Six are named for individuals important to the state's history: Aitkin is for William A. Aitkin (also spelled Aitken), who ran an American Fur Company post on Sandy Lake; Carlton honors Reuben B. Carlton, a Fond du Lac founder; Jackson is for either pioneer merchant Henry Jackson (see February 11) or President Andrew Jackson; Martin is for either Connecticut investor Henry Martin, who owned land in the area, or Wisconsin territorial delegate Morgan L. Martin, who introduced legislation to create Minnesota Territory; Murray County commemorates St. Paul attorney and politician William P. Murray; Nobles is for wagon maker, road builder, and politician William H. Nobles.