[3] Mennonite settlers from Waterloo County, Ontario arrived in Maple River in 1883.

[7] As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,232 people, 434 households, and 352 families residing in the township.

There were 533 housing units at an average density of 15.1 per square mile (5.8/km2).

The racial makeup of the township was 94.64% White, 2.84% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, and 2.27% from two or more races.

12.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.