Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911.
County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from last week’s edition — 02-06 — of the Rock County Star Herald)
A few months after the passage of this act the residents of the county prepared and presented to Governor Horace Austin a petition asking him to appoint J. F. Shoemaker, Jonathan Phelps and Amos Estey commissioners to locate the county seat. The governor took the necessary action and on August 9, 1870, appointed the gentlemen whose names had been suggested, instructing them to meet and select the seat of government for the new county. The meeting was held at the home of Jonathan Phelps, four miles south of Luverne, on the first day of September, all three commissioners being present. There was not much difficulty in selecting a site. Mr. Shoemaker proposed Luverne, which was then the only place in Rock county boasting a name, it having already been named by Philo Hawes, who had his home on the site. Messrs, Phelps and Estey proposed a location farther south, but finally acceded to Mr. Shoemaker’s choice, and all signed the report which was written by Mr. Shoemaker and was in the following language: “After due consideration we have agreed to locate the county seat of Rock as follows: At Luverne, on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 11, in town one hundred two, range forty-five.”
When Governor Austin selected the men to locate the county seat, he also requested that a mass convention be held to suggest the names of men suitable to serve as commissioners to organize the county. His request was complied with, and a mass convention was held at the home of Philo Hawes. This first Rock county convention was fairly well attended. E. N. Darling was made chairman and J. F. Shoemaker, secretary. Politics did not enter into the deliberations, the only thought being to select good men to recommend to the governor. The voting was by ballot, and the three men recommended were later named by the governor.
Governor Austin issued a proclamation on September 24, declaring Luverne the county seat of Rock county. He named Daniel Wilmot, H. A. Gregory and Abraham McMurphy county commissioners, to serve until their successors, chosen at the general election in November, should qualify. They were empowered to take the initial steps toward organization and to make provision for holding the first county election.
Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.