A branch line of the Great Northern Railway was built through the township in 1898; the railroad was abandoned in 1972 and converted to the Heartland State Trail.

The Great Northern swing bridge crossing the Steamboat River, built in 1915, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A second post office named Raboin in section 17 served the northern portion of the township between 1911 and 1936.

20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 12.2% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.