Lincoln Township, O'Brien County, Iowa

Lincoln Township is bordered by Hartley Township on the east, Franklin Township to the west, Center Township to the south,^[1] and Osceola County, Iowa to the north.^[2] Its total area is 35.5 square miles,^[3] and its elevation is 1,530 feet.^[4] Floyd River runs through the township, and Waterman Creek is the main drainage outlet.^[5]

As of the 2020 census, the population of Lincoln Township was 195. Of those, 189 were white, one was black, one was some other race, and four were two or more races.^[6] As of the 2019 American Community Survey, eight residents were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[7]

Lincoln Township was formed out of part of Waterman Township after its population grew and it became necessary to divide the township.^[8] In April 1878, the board of supervisors of O'Brien County created Lincoln Township, and the first elections were held in September of that year.^[9] House File 390, which officially established Lincoln Township, was passed by the Iowa House of Representatives in 1886.^[10] The first settlers moved to Lincoln Township from Hardin County, Iowa, in 1870. In 1881, the population of the township was 36; in 1885, 53; and in 1914, around 185. A branch of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway used to run through the northwest part of the township, with a station at Plessis.^[8]

Lincoln Township is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Republican Randy Feenstra of Iowa's 4th congressional district.^[11] It is represented in the Iowa Senate by Republican Lynn Evans of District 3, and in the Iowa House of Representatives by Republican Zach Dieken of District 5.^[12] In the O'Brien County Board of Supervisors, Lincoln Township is represented by Timothy Overmire of District 1.^[13][14] As of February 2024, the township clerk was Harv Westerman, and the township trustees were Tom Gonnerman, Joel Wright, and Glen Van Meeteren.^[15]

Lincoln Township is in the Hartley–Melvin–Sanborn Community School District.^[16]