Prior to the establishment of Leelanau County in 1863, the future county's lands were parts of other counties, and some of it was under the jurisdiction of a self-proclaimed "kingdom," the only one at that time within the United States.

Things began in 1840, when Grand Traverse County was formed, including what are now Leelanau and Benzie counties. The Manitou Islands were included in the future Leelanau County, and the Fox Islands were made part of Kiskonko County, which was later renamed Charlevoix County. Since the area was still in the very early beginnings of settlement, about the only areas of activity were the establishment of the Old Mission Church by Reverend Peter Dougherty, and the first lighthouse on South Manitou Island, both in 1839.

In 1847, a man named James Jesse Strang was traveling on a passenger ship past Beaver Island (part of Charlevoix County), and believed the island would be an ideal place to bring his Mormon followers. Strang had gained his followers when they broke away from the main body of Mormons when Brigham Young was chosen to be the successor of the murdered founder of the Mormon Church, Joseph Smith. Strang first settled in Vorhee, Wisconsin, but was now looking for a better place for his flock.

Strang began moving his followers to Beaver Island, leaving the Irish fishermen that were already there alone. He ruled his flock with absolute authority and from time to time would tell his people of "divine revelations." One of them was the belief that he should made king of the island's Mormon colony, and Strang crowned himself king on July 8, 1850, complete with royal robes. People continued to settle on Beaver Island, and a few even settled on the Fox Islands where they made their livings by establishing their own farms.

"King" Strang increased his power base by extending his authority over the Irish fishermen, which they vehemently resented. With threats made against them, the fishermen were forced to settle in Pine River (now Charlevoix) on the mainland. Also, Strang had another "divine revelation" saying that all Mormon men should have more than one wife (polygamy). During the period of Strang's kingship, he was the only one who carried out this "revelation," much to the dismay of his lawful wife, Mary, who moved back to Vorhee. Strang had a total of 5 polygamous wives, the last one being the former Elvira Fields (d.1910). On nearby Garden Island, where several Indians lived, Strang wanted to marry the daughter of one of the Indian chiefs, but the chief would not allow it.

Strang was accused of crimes against "non-Mormons," but was acquitted of them in a trial held in Detroit in 1851. Although it was not proven that a band of "Strangites," which Strang's followers were called, acted on orders from the "king," fishing boats and other properties were raided by these men. One of the victims was the founder of present day Leelanau County's Port Oneida, Carson Burfiend, who had his fishing nets taken from him on three different occasions. On one occasion, the Strangites took his boat and punched a hole in the bottom of it.

Strang ran for a seat in the Michigan Legislature in 1852 and was elected twice, the second time in 1854. In order to increase the power base of his "kingdom" he introduced a bill to make Emmet County part of Charlevoix County, which was passed by the entire governmental body. However, after protest by the Emmet County residents, the legislature repealed the law. Strang did not give up, and in 1855, he introduced a bill to create Manitou County, which would encompass Beaver Island, its surrounding islands, and the Fox and Manitou Islands. The bill passed, creating the county, and the Manitou Islands were organized as Chandler Township, and the Fox Islands as Galilee Township. The county seat was established at St. James (formerly Beaver Harbor and renamed by Strang himself).

During one of Strang's missionary trips, he became familiar with a new kind of women's undergarments called bloomers. Being quite impressed with them, he returned to his island "kingdom" and ordered all the women in the colony to wear them. However, the wives of two men protested against the order, and Strang ordered the two men, Thomas Bedford and Alexander Wentworth, flogged (some sources say their wives were flogged).

Strang had become a virtual dictator over his flock, and even some of his own followers began to resent him, not to mention Bedford and Wentworth. In June 1856, at the peak of his power, Strang was requested to talk with the skipper of the schooner "Michigan" to discuss allegations of crimes brought against him or some of his followers. As the "king" walked past some pilings on the dock towards the ship, Bedford and Wentworth appeared from behind the pilings and shot him. They then ran to board the ship, hitting the wounded "monarch" with a gun butt as they ran by. They were taken to Mackinac Island, where they were released as heroes. This was how many people militantly resented the dictator "king."

When a word reached authorities in St. James that some were going to arrive on Beaver Island to finish Strang for good, the 'king" was put aboard a ship and returned to Vorhee, Wisconsin, where he died of his wounds on July 8, 1856. Without the Strangites "monarch," the Irish fishermen returned and took back their former property and forcing the Strangites from the island, about 2,600, with only the clothes on their backs. The "kingdom" within the U.S. was now relegated to history.

All that remained was Manitou County, which was said to hardly hold court, hold elections, or enforce the law. After Leelanau County was formed in 1863, Manitou County was made a "protectorate" of Leelanau County from 1865 to 1869. The first attempt to have Manitou County relegated to history was in early 1877, when retiring Michigan Governor John J. Bagley asked the Legislature to do so, saying the entire county should be made part of Charlevoix County. The legislators failed to take action on the proposal, but it was brought before the Legislature again in the Spring of 1895. This time, the governmental body listened, and Manitou County was divided up between Leelanau and Charlevoix Counties. The Manitou and Fox Islands became part of Leelanau County, and the Beaver Islands part of Charlevoix County. South Manitou Island was made part of Glen Arbor Township, North Manitou Island part of Leland Township, and North and South Fox Islands part of Leelanau Township, establishing Leelanau County's jurisdiction as it stands today. Leelanau County's population increased by 177, the total population of the Manitou and Fox Islands in 1895.

~Thomas Baird