Founding of Martin TownshipThe following appeared in the Rock County Herald on July 18, 1924, telling about the county 20 odd years before:The southwestern corner township had only one and one-half sections of railway lands within its settlement in the early days was quite rapid, most of the first settlers being Norwegians. It remained a part of Clinton Township until March 12, 1873, when upon the petition of Hans Jensen, Simon Skovgaard, Nels Iverson, Goodman Anderson, Paul and Ole Sandbo, and others, it was made into a separate political division. At this time only township 101, range 16 was organized as Martin Township. The fractional part of range 47, although a long distance from the mother township, continuing to be a part of Clinton making it necessary for the voters residing in the fractional part to go to Clinton Township for the purpose of voting. Not until July 24, 1876, was the fractional strip given to Martin. The township was named in honor of John Martin, the first settler in the precinct. He located on section 13, in 1860, and built the first house in the township. In 1871 the following settlers arrived: Nels and Anders Anderson, Joseph Jacobson, Gulbrand and Kundt Moe and their mother, Mrs. Thora Moe. The year 1872 brought a number of new settlers, among which were Goodman Anderson, Nels Iverson, A.O. Skattum, Ole Rue, C. Moe, P.O. Skyberg, John and Charlie Nelson, Nels Opbye, John and Ole Goldberg, Peder Tuff, Erick Colby, Simon Skovgaard, Hans Jensen, Nels Arieldson, Paul and Ole Sandbo, L.O. Kolsrud, Fred Nuffer, H.F. Cothe, H. Luckensmeyer, Helbran Rue, A. Rabideau, T.O. Strandness. O. Birkeland, and Rev. H.Z. Hvid. In 1873, a great many new settlers also came. Among them, Hans Nerison, W.O. Ellingboe, Tollef Tollefson, G. Thompson, Ole Thompson, Martin, Lars and Gustav Pederson and their father, Peder Evanson, Nels Sjurson, Ole O. Blegan, Fred Finke, Mrs. P.O. Skyberg, who came with the Nerisons, H.A. Twange, L.S. Sayre, Robert Lucas, Charles Cox, Dan. Schofield, C. Borchers, A Herried, Andrew Harried, Andreas Gunderson, K. Egge, M. South, Haldor Knudtson, and Ira Bowen. The year 1874 brought a larger number of settlers than any previous year. Among these may be mentioned Nels Sundem, Anders Rogness, Niels Jacobson, A.T. Sexe, Tosten Sexe, B. Rossum, Ole Severtson, Lars Engelbretson, Engebert Larson, Peder Phillin, C.E. Halls, G.T. Rovang, John Strand, Odd Edmundson, Jacob and Gulbrand Qualley, Haagen Tuff, Evan Finkelson, P. Halverson Jens Olsono, Casper Taubert, and E.B. Trowbridge.
