History of Remer

William P. Remer filed for land in the SE 14 of Sec. 2, 141-26 on October 1, 1902. His brother Ernest was one of the pioneers of Grand Rapids. In 1905, William P. Remer was listed on the census as a forty-two year old farmer. His wife Sophia was forty-five. They had been in Minnesota for most of their lives but in Cass County for only two years. One daughter, Florence, 17 years old, lived at home. G. H. Perry described a time when he walked from Grand Rapids to the Remer area. He stayed overnight with William Remer, "who with his family lived alone in the solitude of a region where grew the tall pine trees and where the settlers were few." He spent two nights in their log cabin. During the day they walked mile after mile while they admired the lakes and the majestic trees.

By 1904, Mr. Remer's general store served a growing community and a group of the early settlers petitioned for organization of T-141-26 into the township of Willow River. B. M. Estey, Ole Halvorson, J. B. Sorum, Robert Hanson, G. H. Bergstrom, A.C. Winger, David DeCamp, Alex Gilmer, and Bert Webber signed the petition. The first town meeting was held on Saturday, October 22, 1904 at the W. T. Wilson house.

The name of Willow River lasted about a month until the citizens tried to obtain a post office by that name and learned that a post office named Willow River already existed. Therefore: "Be it resolved, by the Board of County Commissioners of Cass County, Minnesota, that the name of the town of Willow River be changed to the town of Remer by which name such township shall hereafter be designated. Dated November 15, 1904." In the first election of township officers, the following were selected.

A. C. Winger Chairman
Alex Gilmer Supervisor
R. Hanson Supervisor
W. P. Remer Clerk
B. M. Estey Treasurer
Bert Webber Justice of the Peace
Martin Eltrich Constable
J. T. Watson Justice of the Peace
E. Sterme Constable
W. Horner Road Overseer

At the town election two years later, an altercation occurred between W. P. Remer and W. F. Wilson, which ended with the death of W. P. Remer. William Remer was a judge of the primary election for Remer Township. W. F. Wilson was one of the clerks of the election. Sheriff Riddell and Coroner Wilcox were called by telegram to come to Remer after Mr. Remer died on September 19, 1906. The coroner and sheriff took a train from Walker to Grand Rapids and from there traveled by wagon to Remer. It appeared that Mr. Remer's death was indirectly due to excitement as a result the altercation.

Contributed by Cecelia M. McKeig, extracted from Remer, Minnesota.