Histories

Enger Township

The old township of Enger, Traill County Territory, was dissolved by the governor of Dakota Territory when Steele County was organized in 1882. On petition of legal voters of 147 Range 54, the township was organized into a civil township to be known as Enger Township. It was named for Fingal Enger, the first white man to enter and homestead here in March of 1872.

The first meeting of Enger Township was held June 25, 1885. Elected to offices were: R. K. Lien, Ole Anderson, and Ole Haageson, Supervisors; S. H. Hustvedt, Clerk; F. G. Enger, Treasurer; O. O. Fechar, Assessor; D. W. Sprague and S. H. Hustvedt, Justices of the Peace; and P.O Boe and Gunder Rud, Constables.

A town hall was erected in 1881 in the center of the township at a cost of about $100.00. It was the original home office for the Farmers Mutual Fire and Lighting Insurance Company of Steele County. This building still stands where it was originally built, although it is no longer in use. Meetings are now held in one of the schools located along Highway 20.

Enger had the first school teacher, as well as the first long school house in Steele county. Steffa Husvedt came in 1876 to teach and the long school house was built in 1877 on Per Nyhus' land. This was used until about 1885 when a new school was built. The school term was five months--two in the fall and three in the spring and summer. The first vacation Bible schools were taught during summer in the Fingal Enger home by Ole Bale. Records of meetings in 1882 show the following school board member: Reir Lien, Director, D. W. Spragne, Clerk and F. G. Enger, treasurer.

There were at one time four schools throughout Enger Township which have since closed due to consolidation. The first cemetery of Enger Township dated back to 1880 and is located on land now owned by Myron Rygg and was originally owned by Lewis Severson. The first burials were of small children who had died from diphtheria during an epidemic in the 1880’s. Little Forks Church was organized in 1877 and Bang Church was organized in 1881. They are the two churches located in Enger Township.

The present township officers are as follows: Albert Nelson, Jeff Boe, and Irving Eng,Supervisors; Carston Karlstad, Clerk; Allen Kville, Treasurer and Vernon Thompson, Assessor.

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