Irish, English, and Scotch pioneers settled in this valley about 1850, and their collective struggles and sharing built this rural community, originally called Kelly’s Corner. Its early institutions and businesses included Union Cemetery in 1853; H. B. Mills’s sawmill in 1856; Saint Columbkille Catholic Mission Church and Cemetery in 1860; a log schoolhouse in 1864 with Melissa Printz as teacher; Union Church in 1873 with Salmeron Smith as preacher; Roscoe Pratt’s general store in 1874; Augustus Woodworth’s blacksmith shop in 1879; a post office in 1881 with David Mann as postmaster; Dodge's Grist and Flour Mill in 1886, built by Daniel Mills; a town hall in 1895, built by John H. O'Brien; and a Farmers' Cooperative Creamery in 1898.