Irion County was created on March 7, 1889, and organized on April 16, 1889. It was named in honor of Robert Anderson Irion, who lived from 1806 to 1860, came to Texas in 1833, and settled at Nacogdoches. He was a member of the first Texas Congress and served as Secretary of State in the cabinet of President Houston from 1837 to 1838. Sherwood is the county seat.