[4] During the period 1896–1912,[5] the community was served by a post office named Dorris.

[5] The historic Cedar Lake Lutheran Church and adjacent cemetery are both locally referred to by the name Dorris.

Early immigrants in the area include the Roms (Carlsons), Dummers, Rudes (Ruds) and Petersons.

Much of the land was originally transferred to the railroad, and subsequently sold to settlers.

The township's Pine-Hickory Lakes Roadside Parking Area was developed as a New Deal project from 1937 to 1938 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.