[4] Alder was originally settled around 1882, when Charles Adler and four associates acquired land in the area and proposed to start a new settlement, to be named Adler, roughly halfway between the present day cities of Petersburg and McVille.

[6][7] Adler soon grew to a small town of around 30 residents,[6] and Mr. Adler expected continued growth since the site was located along the planned route for the Great Northern Railroad.

He was quoted as saying "we shall break up at least 1500 acres and push the opening of good farms at once" and that a schoolhouse "second to none" would be built.

[1] However, in the fall of 1882 railroad officials opted to build their line 5 miles (8.0 km) to the north, and further settlement of Adler diminished.

[7] The township, however, continued to attract settlers in the early 1900s, growing from 77 residents in 1890 to a peak population of 305 in 1910.