Jessenland Township was organized in 1858, and was said to be named for Jesse Cameron, a pioneer settler.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 481 people, 160 households, and 130 families residing in the township.

There were 165 housing units at an average density of 5.0 per square mile (1.9/km2).

There were 160 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.0% were married couples living together, 1.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.8% were non-families.

13.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.