 He named several counties and towns during the state's formative years.The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Kanotin County, and renamed Iosco County in 1843.It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1857.A majority of the population used to be Chippewa Indians, the area offered shelter from tall white pines, and food from the river and lake.