Topography—This township is quite rolling. The west half has some very nice table land. All the land is very productive. This township was opened for settlement in 1892 being a part of the Sisseton and Wahpeton reservation before that. The well known Pickerel Lake is situated in about the center of this township, a full discription of which will be found under the heading of lakes in this volume. It had two postoffices before the R. F. D., system was installed. Maloney, on the northwest bank of the lake, Wist, in section two, named in honor of Martin Wist, Sr., with P. C. Johnson who operated a general store and does at the present time, as postmaster. He also operated a creamery for a number of years. The homesteaders in this new township were about 75 per cent polish and 25 per cent Norwegian.

The first child born here was John Block, born to Mr. and Mrs. Gust Block, February 11, 1893.

The first death was that of August Kila.

The first marriage was between Gust Block and Julia Oslowski, June 1, 1892.

The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gust Block, parents of fifteen sons and ten daughters, one pair of twins. (two mothers, first mother nineteen, all single births.)

This township was named in honor of General Kosciusko, who bore that title in the Revolutionary War. Kosciusko, who was a Pole of noble birth came to America and offered himself "to fight for American Independence." What can you do? asked the commander. "Try me", was Kosciusko's laconic reply. Washington was greatly pleased with him, and made him his aid. After the war, he returned to Poland and led his people in their struggle for independence.

Date of settlement of homesteaders:

1892—J. Lorenzen, Matt Mondry, Joe Maloney, Sr., J. S. Wyganowski, John Grzonska, John Milszgwski, S. Grycheck, Aug. Kila, Martin Wist, Sr., K. K. Bue, P. C. Johnson, Frank Wasilk, Otto Lewno, Joe Elwart, Frank Kuhr, John Miller, Robert Gruba, M. Pruszinski, Joe Kornick, John J. and Aug. Block, John Jaskulka, A. J. Block, Albert Parzek, John Skaarhaug, Robert Tystad, Peter Schunberg, Soren Benedickson, Jr., Gunder Gunderson, Joseph Kupperschmidt, Joe, John B., and Martin Gruba, Bernard Henning, Louis Alsager, Amund Hendrickson, Matt Novak, Joe Hibsik, Robt. Boe, John Kurkowski, F. T. Gruba, Geo. Hendrickson, Frank Biezkowski.