Established July 20, 1858, and organized in 1872-73, this county was named in honor of James Knox Polk, the eleventh president of the United States. He was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., November 2, 1795, and died in Nashville, Tenn., June 15, 1849. His home was in Tennessee after he was 11 years old. He was admitted to practice law in 1820; was a member of Congress, 1825-39, and served as speaker the last four years; was governor of Tennessee, 1839-41; and as Democratic candidate for president was elected in 1844. On March 3, 1849, the next to the last day of his presidential term, he approved the act of Congress that organized Minnesota Territory.

Return I. Holcombe, in the history of this county, wrote of Polk as follows: "He advocated the war against Mexico and was an efficient President during that contest. But he was opposed to wars in general, and it was largely his great influence during his administration which prevented war with Great Britain in 1846 over the Oregon question-a war of which many unwise Americans were decidedly in favor-and when he was in Congress he and some other Congressmen prevented a war with Spain. He was a man of pure and high character and personally popular. This county need be well satisfied with its name."