A History of Rock Township

 

Here is a little history about Rock Township: Rock had a population Of 745 in 1890; in 1900 it had decreased to 676, and in 1910 the census reports gave it 583.

This subdivision of Mitchell County was organized into, a separate civil township in 1868, the first election being held November 8, which was known as the "Grant, Colfax and Peace" political campaign, when General Grant was elected president the first time. The election was held in the schoolhouse in section 22. The following were elected: Colben Seaver, Warren Van Hooser and A. Stillwell, trustees; Paul E. Meier, clerk; G. B. Lovejoy, county supervisor; A. D. Bevier, justice of the peace; T. H. Lovejoy, assessor; J. H. Phelps and Colben Seaver, constables.

The first human habitation in Rock Township was the cabin built in section 22 by a hunter and trapper named Clark. It was only eight feet square, built of small poles. There its owner resided two seasons.

The marriage of George B. Lovejoy to Mary Skinner, December 4, 1864, was probably the first marriage performed in the township.

The first death was that of Nels, son of Peter and Sarah Nelson, September 5, 1860. The first birth in this township was that of Annie Marie, daughter of Peter and Sarah Nelson. The date was 1857. She married John Halverson, the photographer at St. Ansgar at one time. Rock Creek Postoffice

This was established in 1867. T. H. Lovejoy was first postmaster and had the office at his home in section 22. Mails came twice each week from Mason City and Mitchell. A son of Norway had the honor of becoming the first settler in Rock Township. He was E. Meier, who immigrated from Winneshiek County, Iowa, with his family in 1853 and purchased land in sections 14, 22 and 23: He remained there until called by death, April 27, 1872. His son Paul was county auditor one term, and afterwards became a well-known merchant in Osage. Other early settlers in the township were: Joseph Hobkirk, John R. James, William Weinberger, A. D. Bevier, A. K. Lewis, John Glassel, Hover Hoelson, William Horton and Jesse Jeffries.

Peter Nelson came to the township in 1854, locating in section 2.

George B. Lovejoy, a sturdy son of Vermont, came in 1855, entering the southwest quarter of section 15, and there built his log cabin. In the spring following he was joined by his brother Jason. A cousin of George B. Lovejoy also came in 1855 and entered eighteen eighties of wild land in the township. In 1856 he sold to Jason Lovejoy.

The 1857 settlers included these: Colben Seaver, a Norwegian, who settled in section1; Thomas Henry Lovejoy (brother of George B.), who bought land in section 22. At first he moved to his brother's house in section 15, and there he lived until 1863. This was on the wild, unsettled and very broad expanse of prairie away from all settlement, and it served as a sort of tavern for passers by In 1859 John Roberts, another Vermonter, came here from Dane County, Wisconsin, and located in section 16. From this date on until after the close of the Civil war there was little done toward further settlement of this and other townships within Mitchell County. Among the 1866 settlers may be recalled such men as Emery Garfield, of Massachusetts, locating in section 9. He died in Clay County in 1878. Joseph F. Hews settled in section 8, and died in 188o. Warren Van Hooser, from New York State, purchased land in the southwest quarter of section 15, of G B. Lovejoy.

After about 1866 the township was largely settled by German people, who belong to the Lutheran Church.