Rock Lake Township

Rock Lake Township

The township of Rock Lake, which is town 109, range 42, lies on the south line of the county- and one mile from the west line. It fl«rives its name from a lake which lies in the northwest corner of the town, the name of which was given it by the early settlers on account of the character of its banks which in some places are nearly walled up with boulders. It is a beautiful little lake with some timber on its shores, deep Avater and stocked with fish It is a favorite picnic ground and one of the attractions ot the town.

The bown was first settled in the spring of 1871 by the McNabbs from Canada, who located on section 14 on the north shore ot lake Yankton. This lake is smaller than Rock Lake and not so deep, but is an attractive body ot pure water, and furnishes much pleasure to the people of Balaton which is built on its south shore. In 1872 W. and E, Hamm, G. W. Linderman, C. Osborn, J. W. Lester, J. A. Van Fleet, J. T. Crouch, A. Town, Mr. McKay and Miss Lina Bishop were residents of the town. Other early settlers were W. Livingston, L. Town, G. A. Glotfelter, E. R. Weeks, L. Nichols, J. Abernethy, O. E. Persons and H. L. Gifiord.

Rock Lake postoffice was established in 1874, R. Weeks, postmaster. The office was kept at Weeks' house in Lyons, however. He was succeeded by A. C. Dann in 1875, and during the same year J. A. Van Fleet was appointed, and removed the office to his house in Rock Lake. He was properly the first postmaster in the town. The office was discontinued in 1881, Balaton having sprung up with the building ot the D. C. railroad through the town, and the postoffice at tliat town supplying the territory heretofore supplied by the Rock Lake P. O.

The assessor's report for 1883 gives Rock J^ake 1,596 acres under cultivation, of which 801 were wheat, 494 oats, 181 corn, 102 barley, 18 potatoes. There were also 39 acres of cultivated forest trees. ^

The last assessed valuation of the town was $64,391. As real estate has not been assessed for two years, there will probably be a large increase»iri the next assessment.

The Dakota Central railroad, a branch of the C. & N. W. which runs from Tracy to Pierre on the Missouri river, passes through Rock Lake from east to west, giving the town one station in Balaton. The Duluth road when completed will undoubtedly give the town a competing market in a station near hy on the west.

The population cf Rock Lake is mostly one ot intelligent, thrifty and prosperous Americans. No town in the county can chiim a better class of settlers.

Source changes here: from An Illustrated History of Lyon County, Minnesota, by Rose, Arthur P, published 1912; 302 words in this source stream.

Rock Lake Township

Rock Lake township derives its name from the beautiful little body of water of the same name that lies within its boundaries. The lake was so named by the early settlers on account of the character of its banks, which in some places are walled up with boulders.

The township was created October 9, 1876. The first town meeting was held October 26 at the school house in district No. 18 (now district No. 60). The following were the first officers: William Livingston, chairman; William H. Hamm and James Abernathy, supervisors; A. N. Daniels, clerk; G. W. Linderman, treasurer; J. F. Crunch, assessor; J. A. Van Fleet and Lucius conducted by Rev. Joseph Rees, was the first religious service in the township. Miss Frances Mason taught the first school in 1877 in a private house.

Island Lake

Within the borders of Island Lake township are a number of lakes. One of these is called Island lake, from the fact that in it is an island, about two and one-half acres in extent, covered with a growth of natural timber. The lake furnished the name for the township.

46A son of Archie McNabb was the first child born in Rock Lake township. The first death was that of George A. Glotfelter on June 21, 18,78. C. M. Eichler and Cora Hamm were the first couple married in the precinct; they were married in October, 1879, by O. E. Persons, justice of the peace. The first school was taught by Miss Katie Glenn in 1876. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph Rees in the fall of 1873.

but the town was not organized until the following March. The first officers were: Robert Gardner, chairman; Lafayette Grow and George George, supervisors; J. R. King, clerk and assessor; D. A. Kennedy, treasurer; J. H. Sykes, constable.48