Why do mid-west states have so many counties?

Answer 1

Many states' counties were designed so that everyone within the county could reach the county's government within one day's horse ride. If the county was too large for that, it would be split. Staes that came into the Union later were farter out west and with the increasing use of trains and the sheer size of the states, this ides was no longer practical or necessary.

Answer 2

We do? Huh...