The first county elections were held in 1851, by order of the county sheriff. Only 53 votes were cast in the election of three commissioners, a clerk, judge, treasurer, and county recorder. The first county business conducted was the location of a county seat. A three-man committee was formed to locate the county seat, but nothing was ever done. Eventually the Legislature, on January 14, 1853, appointed a second committee for the same purpose. When a site was located, it was to be named Bedford.