Linden Township

This is the extreme southeastern corner sub-division of Brown County, and comprises congressional township 108, range 30 west. It is bounded by Blue Earth County on the east, by Watonwan County on the south, Lake Hanska Township on the west and Cottonwood on the north. It has several lakes of considerable importance and size. Among such may be mentioned Dane lake in the north east part of the township; a part of Lake Emerson along the south line and Linden lake in the central west portion.

The Minneapolis & St. Louis railroad runs through the northwest corner of the township, but its nearest station is at the village of Hanska, just over the township line.

The township has had a population of late years as follows: In 1890 it had seven hundred and sixty-two; in 1900 it was seven hundred and fifty-three, and in 1910 it was reported to be six hundred and ninety-one.

At one time this embraced all the present territory of Lake Hanska Township. The township was set apart for organization on June 28, 1858, but it failed to perfect its organization until 1859. The first meeting was held at the house of John Armstrong and he was elected chairman and justice of the peace; Andrew Levig was elected assessor; Peter Levig, clerk; Peter Thormodson, collector. Upon the death of Mr. Armstrong the township records were all lost, hence the remainder of early day transactions cannot here be given.

First Settlements

The first settlement was effected here in 1856 by
John Armstrong
Peter Thormodson
G. Paulson
Thore Oleson
Andrew Levig
Jens Harbo

At the time of the Indian outbreak, Mr. Armstrong sent his family away, but remained with his brothers on his farm. In September, following the outbreak, he was shot with an arrow while his brother was absent.

P. H. Dahl, a Norwegian, settled in 1866
C. Halvorson, of Norway, came in 1869
H. Halvorson, of Norway, settled here in 1868
Lewis N. Halvorson, born in Wisconsin, came here in 1869
K. H. Helling, a Norwegian, settled here after his discharge from the army
Another pioneer was John R. Johnson, of Norway

  Brown County |Minnesota AHGP 

Source: History of Brown County, Minnesota, L. A. Fritsche, M.D., Editor, Volume I, 1916.