HISTORY
The first wave of hardy and adventurous settlers arrived in 1867, '68, and '69. They brought their ox or horse-driven wagons and their most precious and practical belongings to what in now Pelican Lake Township in Grant County and St. Olaf Township in Otter Tail County. They found the rich soil was blessed with an abundance of water, above and below the surface. The groves of timbers provided the materials for building furniture, fences and fuel. For the hunter and fisherman after food for sport, the land and water abounded with wildlife.
In 1879, there was a great deal of excitement in St. Olaf and Pelican Lake Townships. The news had arrived that the Railway was soon to cross through the two townships. Settlers in both Pelican Lake and St. Olaf Townships were hopeful that the state would locate the station on their properties. The Pelican Lake site was the final choice. The station that eventually would be named Ashby was to be built on a strip of land in the SE 1/4 of Section 3 purchased from Simon Larson.
The new station was named Grant, but not for long. In a few months it bore the name Brighton. Later on down the line was another station named New Brighton. This seemed to cause some confusion so the station was finally named Ashby. Some people say that Ashby was named after Gunder Ash, a pioneer farmer from Norway who lived just east of the village site. A railroad official was also said to have named the village Ashby for a place in England. Until some documentary evidence comes from the person or persons responsible for the final selection of the station's name, both of the above explanations will remain the subject of argument and speculation.
