Ohio County was named in 1798 for the Ohio River, originally its northern boundary. From this territory were formed Butler, Grayson, Daviess, Hancock, and McLean Counties. Two settlements were Hartford Station, about 1785, and Barnett's Station, founded by Col. Joseph Barnett in 1790. The first Ohio County Court was organized in 1799. Christopher Greenup was its Circuit Judge in 1803 and Kentucky Governor from 1804 to 1808.