Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 04-02 edition)
Gregory (now Mound)
          The whole north half of the county, which from the earliest days had formed a part of Luverne township, seceded from the mother township in the spring of 1873, leaving Luverne with the boundaries it has at the present time. The action was taken on April 10, when the board of county commissioners authorized the six northern congressional townships to organize under the name of Gregory. The name was bestowed in honor of the Gregory family. The first town meeting was held May 2, 1873, in the stone house on the northeast quarter of section 35, in the present Mound township, then occupied by Horace G. Gregory. Gregory township is now a thing of the past. During the next few years after its organization the several townships comprising the mammoth precinct withdrew and set up governments of their own. The township became involved financially and when it lost its last bit of territory and its name, nothing was left to apportion among its offspring except a good sized debt.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 03-26 edition)
Martin
The southwestern corner township had only one and one-half sections of railway lands within its borders and 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 Jenson and others, it was erected into a separate political division. At this time only township 104, range 46, 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. 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 1869 and built the first house in the township. The records show the following to have received patents to government land: Goodman Anderson (26-27), Asle Skattum (33), Frederick Baugert (29), August Winter (32), Osmund Berkland  (21-23), Elbridge D. Hadley (12r47), Frederick Finke (26-28), Gordon R. Badgeson (28), William H. Glass (12r47), Paul Olsen (22-23), William Gyke (30), Thomas B. Taylor (11r47), Calvin Denney (14), Charles J. Hadley (12r47), Haaver A. Tvanger (28), Sylvia Herrick (12r47), Erick Colby (10), Martin Benteeliet (12), Abraham Halvorson (24r47), George W. Hayes (2), Milo A. Bacon (2r47), Fred Nuffer (11), Robert Lucas (26r47), Nils Iverson (27), Charles C. Cox (8), Neils Arildson (30), John Miller (12), Christian Borchers (11), Walter M. Lee (28), Daniel R. Bowen (35), James Erikson (32), Hector V. Hamlin (5), Charles O. Hartson (2), Gerd L. Thaden (2), Hans J. Hage (6), Hels O. Sjursen (31), Elwood M. Percival (2r47), William A. Johnson (25r47), Hans Z. Hvid (24), Joseph Jacobson (24), Amund Haaverson (17) Knut O. Egge (29), Mahlon South (24r47), Julia Amson (19), Liberty Price (1r47), Hans Nireson (31), Anders Julson (9), William O. Crawford (4), C. E. Halls (18), Nels Jacobson (20), Even Finkelson (9), Hans Jensen (30), William H. Doran (8), Ole Sevatsen (8), Ole Olson (23), Endre Haaverson (21), Ole Olsen Blagen (35), Julius Thiel (12), Charles B. Trowbridge (18), Casper Taubert (4), Minerth Lukensmeyer (11), Lewis S. Sayre (34r47-35r47), Torgus O. Strandness (20), Ole H. Schien (14r47), E. B. Trowbridge (17), James Bedggood (2r47), Erick E. Sevatson (8), Niels Johaneson (22), Nels Gullickson (17), Gustav Pederson (24r47), Anna M. Aanenson (26r47), Ira H. Bowen (26), Andrew Andrewson (24), Sever Sjursen (24r47), Heirs of Gunder Sjuresen (25r47), Julia Munger (1r47), Gilbert Thompson (19), Peter H. Tveten (13), Haagen Tuff (32), Henry Olsen (23), Louis Pederson (23r47), Osmund Berkland (20), Peder G. Tuff (33), Nelson Anderson (24), Mary Nielson (21), Anne P. Somdrol (34), Henrich F. Kothe (11), Haldor Knudsen (35), Christian C. Moe (22), James Oleson  (14r47), Heirs of Knut Gilbertson (19), Peder O. Skyberg (15), Ole O. Skyberg (10), John O. Strand (26r47), John O. Tyler (17), William O. Ellingbee (29), John O. Goldberg (15), Andreas Gunderson (21), Gyri Magnuson (25r47), Isabell Peterson (32), Lars O. Thoreson (9), Barnheart Jenssen (2), Hans G. Hoff (31), Cynthia Cox (5), Lars Engebretson (35r47), Engbret Larson (35r47), Maggie Peck (23r47), Bent Enderson (10), Knut H. Helgeson (31), Tollef Gilbertson (18), James Eschels (11-10r47), Hiram Heath (5), Daniel T. Scofield (6-7), Hugh Stall (6), Augustus Robideau (34-30), Marit Kjos (34), Alonson C. Scofield (7), Jacob Jorgenson (3), Orlando S. Hathaway (14), Annie Johnson (11r47), Lars O. Kolsrud (26), William Jacobsen (7), Samuel H. Schoemaker (11r47), Ole M. Rudd (30), William Larson (15), Torgus O. Strandness (29), Bahne Bahnson (5), Aanen Gahrsen (13r47), Olivia O. Skyberg (33), Larine Evenson (26r47), Ole Thompson (13r47), Herman Lukensmeyer (14), Frances B. Myrick (9), Gilbert Georgeson (4), Lewis Pederson (23r47), Lars T. Viste (35r47), Knud K. Dakken (26r47), Gustav Pederson (23r47), Amund T. Sexe (13r47), Ole Sandbo (22r47), Harrison White (3), DeWitt C. Prentice (3r47), Gullik G. Sundem (7), Henry F. Loeffler (1r47), Andrew Anderson (18), Heirs of Pedar Evenson (14r47), Alden O. Mudge (22r47), Ole A. Helgeson (25r47), Erik O. Loberg (15r47), Joseph Hathaway (3r47).
        
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 03-19 edition)
Kanaranzi
         From early in 1871 the residents of the southeast corner township had been under the local government of Clinton township, but on January 15, 1873, upon the petition of A. E. Thomspon and others, their territory was set off into a separate precinct and named Kanaranzi. A time and place for holding the first town meeting was selected by the board, and in a short time township government was begun. The creek which flows through the eastern and southern part of the township furnished the name. Kanaranzi is one of the oldest place names in Rock county and is probably of Indian origin. It appears upon Joseph N. Nicollet’s map of 1843 as the name of the creek, being then spelled “Karanzi.” Those who received government lands in Kanaranzi township are as follows:
         Henry G. Boydston (24), George W. Stoops (26), Fielding F. Kitterman (8), Charles Older (30), George Ganfield (14), John Crawford (28), Jacob Rush, Jr. (6), Ole Elefsen (8), Samuel H. Griffin (10), Victor C. Stoops (26), Hulda M. Bradford (30), Marquis F. Baker (4), Wilbur A. Ely (28), Mary J. Gallup (6), William H. Maxwell (2), Bennezett Sherwood (26), Zelora Bailey (20), Jens Hanson (32), James Mitchell (30), William McNab (18), Peter Munson (6), Stillman Toul (14), Niels Peder Jensen (8), Charles W. Humboldt (10), Aseph E. Bowen (10-14), Anders C. Sorenson (32), Bejamin T. Kitterman (18), Andrew Marcellus (28), James L. Colegrove (4), Thomas Ganfield (10), Charles Langenberg (2), William McKay (18), Nels S. Nesheim (18), James Christian (1), J. K. P. Thompson (22), William H. Fabes (22), Loren M. Coon  (10), John B. Shurr (34), Ole Hansen (30, Anders Rassmussen (20, Jerome E. Mitchell (34), Lyman L. Bryan (10), Henry Wellendorf (23), Peter Wiese (23), James A. Birkett (12), Byron W. Van Hoesen (34), John Huntington (2), George R. Knap (12), Lawson L. Bryan (12).
        
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 03-12 edition)
Magnolia
         The fourth township to set up a government of its own was Magnolia, which was set off from the original Luverne township in the fall of 1872. There was practically no settlement in the township prior to the spring of that year, but during the summer and fall many claims were taken and the residents asked for authority to organize. The petition was dated September 21, 1872, and was signed by Sylvester Norton, Charles Cook, Thor Asleson, Quinby Loveland, Steward Young, S. S. Maxwell, Austin Maxwell, Hyrcanus Griffith, T. F. Brockway, Michael Pickett, O. D. Turner, C. B. Rolph, E. N. Darling, Robert Douglass, Riley Brooks, Philander Phinney, R. W. Shaw, Wallace Kearney and possibly others.
         The township was created by the board of county commissioners November 27, 1872, and named Magnolia, the name being suggested by Philo Hawes, one of the commissioners, Magnolia having been the name of Mr. Hawes’ former home in Rock county, Wisconsin. The election to select the first officers was held at the home of Quinby Loveland, Charles Cook and Philander Phinney, supervisors; S. S. Maxwell, assessor; Steward Young, treasurer; R. W. Shaw and Quinby Loveland, justices of the peace; J. Johnson and James Gillard, constables. Land patents in Magnolia township were granted as follows:
         Eugene N. Darling (6), Stewart Young (32-28), Orlin Bassett (4), Charles Cook (32), Lucinda Norton (6), David Griffith (18), George D. Phinney (14), William C. Dean (24), Thomas McDermott (6), John Kerwin (24), Charles B. Rolph (22), S. Bailey (10), Henry Meier (10), Jacob Isaacson (24), Abram H. Turner (22), Polk Turner (20), Charles Chase (34), Theodore B. Gould (2), Oscar D. Turner (20), Robert Douglass (20), Riley Brooks (26), Quinby Loveland (22), Wallace Kenney (28), William H. Halbert (12), John Hemmingson (18), Philander Phinney (14), George B. Priestley (2), Thomas H. Williams (4), Austin Maxwell (34), Truman F. Brockway (8), Isaac Isaacson (30), Martin M. Smith (28), Thor Asleson (32), John Fugleberg (30), Ezra C. Abbott (8), Frank Henderson (28), Ole Olson (30), William McGee (10), Hiram Brockway (8), James Woodley (26), Luther F. Hovey (14), Alexander McNab (30), Owen E. Cotton (12), John T. Travis (12), Albert C. Croft (2), Michael Pickett (22), Engebrit Evenson (26), Hyrcanus Griffith (20), Stephen Conway (18), Rebecca Williams (4), Sylvester Norton (6), David Stephen (34), Peter Jordon (10), Arthur G. Dike (18), William Kienast (24), John Carlson (2), Christian J. Frahm (26), Webster R. Crosby (14), Adaline D. Gray (12), Timothy H. Hill (34).
        
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 03-05 edition)
Beaver Creek
         The third town to begin local government in Rock county was Beaver Creek.
There was quite a large immigration to this part of the county in 1872, including a colony from Wisconsin, and in the month of August of that year the settlers gathered in Eli Grout’s sod shanty to select a name and prepare a petition for the organization of the township.
There was quite a contest over the selection of a name, and many were proposed. James Comar proposed the name Beaver Creek, in honor of the stream which flows through the township, and that was selected, a name which seemed to give entire satisfaction.
The petition was presented and on September 10, 1872, the board of county commissioners authorized its organization, with the boundaries it has ever since held.
On September 16 the commissioners named the following officers to conduct the first town meeting: E. T. Sheldon, chairman; C. R. Henton and A. H. Grout, supervisors; Eli Grout, clerk.
It is said that at the time of organization there was not a frame house in the township, all living in sod shanties or covered wagons.
Following are the names of those to whom government land was granted:
         Warren Howard (14), Charles Williams (28), Ira Crawford (29), Robert McDowell (9-17), William O. Crawford (20), Layton L. Hale (31), Nehemiah Marsden (2), Clarence E. Older (19), James Marshall (29-32), Leander L. Bergess (21), Lorenzo D. Vickers (2), Wallace Searles (2), Edmund T. Sheldon (22), James Comar (14), William E. Vary (12), Benjamin F. Comar (15) Chester H. Evarts (34), Joseph B. Evarts (33), Henry S. Lains (24r47), James E. Vermilyea (17), John Hofelman (31), John J. Mosier (35), John J. Conover (23r47), Toloof Toloofson (6-12r47), Robert O. Crawford (20-29), Eugene R. Wilcox (30), Joseph H. Adams (22) Samuel C. Hendershott (8), John Brooks (35), Hiram Brooks (35), Eugene M. Swift (2), Almon Hulett (25r47), Charles Biggs (25r47), Moses Ferguson (23), Erick F. Norelius (14), Stephen E. Timmons (12), Warren L. Kerney (28), William Nurnberg, Jr. (32), Cyrus R. Henton (22), Aretta L. Sheldon (22), Edmund E. Ells (30), Nathaniel F. Revell (4), Alfred H. Osborn (30-31), Frederick Miercort (26), Aldro H. Grout (24), Christian O. Rummeng (23r47), Ole Benson (2r47), Orlando H. Williams (27), Luther T. Bailey (17), Horace A. Pinney (35r47), Deo Datus P. Bingham (26r47), Erick Olsen (8), John M. Allen (12), Charles H. Marshall (33), Thomas D. James (29), Levi C. Bennett (25r47), Elling Anderson (7), Almon Ells (19), Ole Jens Bjerkestol (13r47), George W. Webber (4), Charles Walkup (23), John Swenson (10), Elsie Ellens (34), Joseph H. Stearns (25r47), Sam Tollefson (7), Maryett Silver (27), William Ells (19), William T. Henton (30), John Munz (33), Andrew Toloofson (6), Silas A. Pinney (35r47), Christopher Holfer (27), Jacob Merkel (21), Mary C. Trindle (17), John Danielson (12r47), Jane Hendershott (8), Bishop I. Crossman (26), Albert E. Snow (23), Eli L. Grout (24), Kari Nelson (14r47), Charles Hitgenboeker (26), George W. Pinney (26r47), James D. Campbell (32), Lars Arneson (1r47), Tosten O. Tokheim (1r47-10r47), Albert A. Osmun (28), Howard T. Cummings (33), Ole P. Rollag (13r47), Thaddeus P. Grout (34), Louis Larson (14r47), Lars Benson (2r47), Jennie M. Grout (23r47), Christoffer O. Forseth (23r47), John Bollman (21), Knudt N. Knudtson (7), Aslag T. Tokheim (14), James B. Dunn (24), William Grout (24), Nels Skardal (2r47), Ole Arneson (6), Edward H. Bronson (27), Royal D. Buchanan (35r47), Gilson M. Henton (18), Morgan Bennett (18), Iver D. Iverson (11r47), Daniel Iverson (11r47), Abram Osmun (21), Gilbert H. Henton (21), George W. Hulett (24r47), Ira Crawford (29-32), Edmund T. Sheldon (15), Morris C. Smith (17), Hiram H. Strever (17-20), John Williams (28), Eliza Munro (20), Hans Mickelson (18), Simon A. Tobiason (6), Mikkel Mickelson (9-10), George E. Henton (30), Daniel B. Olson (12r47), Gunder L. Haugstvedt (12r47), Zayne R. Biggs (34r47), Peter Kille (4), Layton L. Hale (31), Heirs of Halvor Abrahamson (23r47), Ira H. Chapman (26r47), Ole T. Tokheim (11r47), Lorenzo S. Welker (5-8), Ole I. Forseth (22r47), William H. Patterson (32), Willard Walkup (26), Horace A. Pinney (26r47), Elwood M. Percival (35r47), Bjorn Olson (1r47), Tosten Asbjornsen (14r47), Charles Briggs (13r47), Ole J. Bjerk (18), Jacob H. Jelle (3r47), Johannes J. Vitterhus (1r47), Lizzie E. Jordahl (2r47), Cassius C. Olmstead (34r47), Martin Oppen (4), Anne Nordvold (10), Moses Ferguson (23), Philip E. Brown (32), Eugene M. Swift (12), Fritz Hagedorn (12), John Reimer (8), Almon S. Chapman (24r47), Christ Hoefer (35), Polly McKisson (23r47).
        
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 02-27 edition)
 
Grant (Clinton)
         Grant township, embracing the present precincts of Clinton and Kanaranzi, was created by the commissioners February 18, 1871, two days after the organization of Luverne township had been authorized. The organi-zation of the township was perfected soon after, but it was organized under the name of Clinton, after the town of Clinton, New York, and upon the suggestion of one of the residents. Upon the petition of the settlers of the new township, dated October 11, 1871, the territory now comprising Martin township was given to Clinton, making that precinct include the southern tier of townships. It retained these dimensions until Kanaranzi and Martin townships were created early in 1873. Those who received title to government lands in Clinton township.
         Colin J. Estey (2-11), Daniel Wilmot (36), George W. Kniss (14), Thomas J. Clark (35), Ben Even (22-30), Christopher C. Berg (28), Albert E. Thompson (36), John McCollum (36-34), Charles W. Hillman (2), Joseph W. Warner (3), Abraham E. McMurphy (12), James B. Shawver (18), John B. Martin (2), Bridget McKeon (8-14), Jonathon H. Loomis (36), Zelora Bailey (12), Perry L. Fassett (4), Franklin S. Mason (26), John H. Ferguson (26), Morris C. Smith (23-24), William F. Brown (14), Henry Martin (2), John A. Spaulding (34), William A. Spracher (6), Amos Estey (24), Leroy B. McCollum (26), George E. Dike (20), Thomas Olsen (22), John McKeon (8), George H. Olds (10), Donald McNab (12), Hans Olsen (28), Chauncey H. Frost (10), Peter McKeon (8), Julius Zellmer (6), Nathan C. Estey (24), Joseph Knight (12), Frank B. Frost (10), Ole Finkleson (22), Erick Evens (28), Sylvester Johnson (10), William W. Brown (14), Christian Clemetson (18), Ole P. Steen (32), Emmett S. McCollum (34), John J. Fassett (4), Clinton S. Moe (30), Abraham Stahl (20), A. Sanderson (22), Joseph T. Woodrow (20), Charles Holter (32), Benson S. Bullis (14), Ole O. Rue, Jr. (20), Tobias Aanenson (4), Niels Clemetson (18), John J. Thompson (34), John P. Steen (32), John C. Peterson (20).
        
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 02-20 edition)
Luverne
         The petition asking for the creation of Rock county’s first township was dated February 15, 1871, and was presented to the county commissioners on that date. It was signed by E. N. Darling, Ed McKenzie, P. J. Kniss, William Blasdell, G. W. Daniels, Horrace Plum, L. A. Daniels, Philo Hawes, William Greer, John Jones, H. Sawyer, J. C. Phelps, G. Webber, S. Wilcox, S. D. Gregory and C. C. Jones. The commissioners took the requested action on February 16 and created Luverne township (named after the village), embracing the present townships of Luverne and Mound and the east half of Magnolia.
         Two days later the southern tier of townships was authorized to being township government under the name of Grant. The few settlers in other parts of Rock county were then without township organization, and to bring all parts of the county under legal government the commissioners on May 27, 1871, declared Luverne township’s boundaries extended to include all of the nine present day northern townships. The action taken in response to a petition to that effect signed by J. F. Shoemaker, P. J. Kniss, E. S. Gregory, H. A. Gregory, G. W. Daniels, P. F. Kelley, L. A. Daniels, L. McDermott, James Kelley, Horace Plum, Philo Hawes, John Ryan, Ed McKenzie, J. C. Gregory and Stephen Wilcox. Luverne township included all this territory until it was reduced by the various acts of creating other townships.
        
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from last week’s edition — 02-06 — of the Rock County Star Herald)
 
         A few months after the passage of this act the residents of the county prepared and presented to Governor Horace Austin a petition asking him to appoint J. F. Shoemaker, Jonathan Phelps and Amos Estey commissioners to locate the county seat. The governor took the necessary action and on August 9, 1870, appointed the gentlemen whose names had been suggested, instructing them to meet and select the seat of government for the new county. The meeting was held at the home of Jonathan Phelps, four miles south of Luverne, on the first day of September, all three commissioners being present. There was not much difficulty in selecting a site. Mr. Shoemaker proposed Luverne, which was then the only place in Rock county boasting a name, it having already been named by Philo Hawes, who had his home on the site. Messrs, Phelps and Estey proposed a location farther south, but finally acceded to Mr. Shoemaker’s choice, and all signed the report which was written by Mr. Shoemaker and was in the following language: “After due consideration we have agreed to locate the county seat of Rock as follows: At Luverne, on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11, in town one hundred two, range forty-five.”
         When Governor Austin selected the men to locate the county seat, he also requested that a mass convention be held to suggest the names of men suitable to serve as commissioners to organize the county. His request was complied with, and a mass convention was held at the home of Philo Hawes. This first Rock county convention was fairly well attended. E. N. Darling was made chairman and J. F. Shoemaker, secretary. Politics did not enter into the deliberations, the only thought being to select good men to recommend to the governor. The voting was by ballot, and the three men recommended were later named by the governor.
         Governor Austin issued a proclamation on September 24, declaring Luverne the county seat of Rock county. He named Daniel Wilmot, H. A. Gregory and Abraham McMurphy county commissioners, to serve until their successors, chosen at the general election in November, should qualify. They were empowered to take the initial steps toward organization and to make provision for holding the first county election.
 
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

Rock County will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
 
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878
         When the early day settlers located in the unorganized county of Rock, it was attached to Jackson county for civil and judicial purposes. What little official business the new settlers had to attend to was done at the county seat village of Jackson, where was also located the government land office. There was no agitation among the settlers in favor of county organization prior to the fall of 1869. In fact, up to that time the county had a population considerably less than one hundred people (including possibly twenty-five voters), the census taken in the summer of 1870 showing only 138 inhabitants.
         Although by the original act of 1857 Rock county had been created, no provision had been made for its organization. Therefore, when the settlers decided to begin county government it was necessary to secure legislative action. Late in the fall of 1869 some of the settlers, notably J.F. Shoemaker, Jonathan Phelps, Amos Estey and E. N. Darling, took the initiative in bringing about organization. A petition to the legislature was written by Mr. Darling, assisted by Mr. Shoemaker, and circulated throughout the settled portions of the county. The petition was signed by every voter, and the proposition met with the hearty approval of everybody. There was no public meeting held to ratify the step, but it practically had a public endorsement, for at every public gathering the proposed action was the subject of discussion among the settlers, and none argued in the negative.
         The petition was sent to the lawmakers at St. Paul during the session of 1869-70. That body looked with favor on the request of the settlers from the extreme southwestern corner of the state and passed an act, approved by the governor March 5, 1870, entitled “an act to organize Rock county.” Section one read as follows:
         That the governor take such action under existing laws as may be necessary to organize the county of Rock, and appoint three disinterested persons commissioners to locate the county seat of said county. The place designated by said commissioners, or a majority of them, when reported to the governor, shall remain the seat of justice of said county until confirmed of changed by a vote of the legal voters of said county when submitted to them in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the state of Minnesota.
 
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.