Melville township embraces township 115, range 33. It is bounded on the north by Osceola township, on the east by Hector township, on the south by Palmyra township and on the west by Bird Island township. The C. M. & St. P. crosses the township in the central part.

The first settlers were Dora J. Caleff, in the spring of 1872; Newton G. Poore, in the fall of 1872, and F. Hart, Charles Sergeant and Louis Yeager, in the spring of 1873. The first school was taught by Dora J. Caleff in her dwelling on section 18 in 1874. The first birth in the town occurred in 1875, in the family of Ferdinand Steffens.

Melville township was organized January 1, 1878. The first town meeting was held at the house of Albert Brown, January 21, 1878. The meeting was called to order by F. E. Wolff. Albert Brown was chosen to act as clerk of the meeting and F. E. Wolff to preside as moderator. The moderator at the opening of the meeting stated the business to be transacted as follows: To elect three supervisors, a treasurer, town clerk, assessor, two justices of peace and two constables. Joseph Daily and Fred Steffins were chosen judges of election. The proclamation of opening the polls was made by the moderator, the polls opened and the election of town officers proceeded. At five o'clock the polls were closed, proclamation thereof being made by the moderator. The judges then proceeded to publicly canvass the votes. The following election of officers resulted from this first town meeting: Supervisors, F. E. Wolff (chairman, seven votes), Norman Hickok (eight votes), Matthew Rose (eight votes); treasurer, George Raitz (seven votes); assessor, Joseph Daily (eight votes); town clerk, Albert Brown (eight votes); justices of peace, Hamlin V. Poore (seven votes), George Raitz (seven votes against P. Kirchner with one vote); constables, Fred Steffins (seven votes), P. Kirchner (seven votes against H. Olson with one vote). The present officers are: Supervisors, Fred Koehier (chairman), Otto E. Kreuger, Peter Weis; town clerk, John Walter; treasurer, Albert Witte; assessor, Edward Zupke; justices of peace, Robert J. Porter, Eric Vikingson; constables, Joe Kienholz, Charles Roberts.

The first real estate assessment of Melville, township, 115-33, was made in 1881. Those assessed were: Jessie Beau, section 4; Lehue Hinds, 4; John Kerney, 5; William S. Parker, 5; E. Carter, 5; J. W. Ladd, 6; Henriette Kerney, 7; A. H. Rud, 8, 16, 17; Norman Hikak, 8; Charles Grimm, 9; F. Wolff, 9, 16; William Ebert, 13; Henriette Kirchner, 13; Henry Wolff, 14, 15; Henry Grimm, 16; August Hedtke, 16, 21; Jacob Walter, 16; U. G. Poor, section 17; Philip Kirchner, 17, 24; S. Cailiff, 18; A. G. Poor, 18; Dora Cailiff, 18; Henry Wells, 22; George H. Raitz, 24, 25; Charles Raitz, 25; John Eckmiter, 27; Fred Kenning, 28; Andrew Vikingson, 29; A. McMullen, 31, 32; Edwin Wolff, 32; Fred Steffus, 18; Daniel Frink, 23; H. E. Wolff, 22; Mrs. J. Draper, 19; Gus Strenzel, 34.

The first personal property assessment, of Melville township, 115-33, was made in 1879. Those assessed were: M. Bennett, O. Bennett, E. Burk, Albert Brown, L. Daley, Joseph Daly, G. Gruske, I. Garske, Henry Grimm, Peter Hoagestal, Henry Hippie, A. Hedke, John Hinds, N. Nikak, H. Hedtke, Phillip Kerchner, Sr., Phillip Kerchner, Jr., Charles Kenning, J. F. Lucas, Jr., J. F. Lucas, Sr., J. Memhast, L. A. Memhast, George H. Megquier, A. McMullen, John Niller, Hermund Olson, N. Q. Poor, G. Raitz, John Rice, M. S. Rouse, F. A. Stevens, J. K. Salsbury, C. M. Stevens, J. Tom, H. E. Wolff, F. Wolff.