Lincoln Township is on the western edge of Blue Earth County located between Ceresco and Butternut Valley. Originally a part of Ceresco Township, it separated in 1865 to be Lincoln after President Abraham Lincoln. Many of the people who settled in Lincoln Township were Swedish or Norwegian immigrants.
For a very short period, there was as village called Iceland, which had a post office and later a telegraph station. This was later renamed Perth, before becoming a ghost town.
One place that has stood the test of time in Lincoln Township is the Lincoln Baptist Church. The church began in 1866 with services held in different homes throughout the congregation and later to the schoolhouse. The first building was built in 1881 and was located across the street from the school where services had been held. This church still holds services weekly and supports a cemetery. If you are ever in the area, stop in for a church service.
My father Rollie Leeman pastored the Lincoln Baptist Church and the Garden city Baptist Church at the same time, from October 1956 till the summer of 1958. I have fond memories of Easter morning Sun Rise services with all the farmers wives bringing breakfast to a church with no running water and outdoor plumbing, (if I’m remembering correctly). We would play softball in the cemetery. A Scandinavian’s headstone was 3rd base.