Johnson County was created by act of the legislature on Dec. 11, 1858, and was named for Gov. Herschel V. Johnson. The county site was named for pioneer resident John B. Wright. Johnson, governor from 1853 to 1857, ran for the vice presidency in 1860 on the ticket with Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. Among the first county officers were Sheriff Joshua Hightower, Ordinary Theophilus Christian, Clerk of Superior Court James W. Walker, Clerk of Inferior Court Richard Walker, Tax Receiver Madison H. Mason, Tax Collector Jacob T. Snell, Surveyor Wm. B. Snell, and Coroner George W. Hammock.