Among the earliest settlers in the Republic area, circa 1870, were the Munsons, Polkinghornes, Pascoes, Gibsons, Wilsons, Doyles, Gambels, Petersons, Bergstroms, and Dodges. They had made their way from Cornwall County, England; Sweden, Finland, French Canada, and Germany. They had been preceded by the Ojibway (Chippewa) Indian Tribes, who had inhabited the Bengston Farm and the Village of Iron City near the Michigamme River.