In 1870 two counties, Pembina and Buffalo were created by the Territorial Legislature. Pembina extended west of the Red River of the North to the 9th Guide Meridian, and Buffalo from there to the Missouri River. In 1873 Wells county was created from part of Buffalo County and named Gingras (Jennegra) county in honor of Antoine Blane Gingras of St. Joseph, now Walhalla. In 1881 the county name was changed to Wells, in honor of E. P. Wells, of Jamestown. Wells County contains 36 townships. The two largest cities are Harvey, population 2263, and Fesenden, the county seat, population 655.