Editing Dodge County, Minnesota (section)

==History==
The area of present Dodge County was a hunting and battle ground for the Mdewakanton [[Sioux]], often fighting [[Sauk people|Sauk]] and [[Meskwaki]] who wandered into their territory. Possibly the first non-indigenous person to enter the territory was a French fur trader from Canada in 1655. After the fur trappers and early explorers, the area was populated by settlers from [[New England]]. The 1820s and 1830s saw significant emigration, eased by completion of the [[Erie Canal]] (1825) and the end of the [[Black Hawk War]] (1831). They brought a passion for education, establishing many schools, as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were members of the [[Congregationalist Church|Congregational]] or [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] church. Culturally Dodge County was similar to colonial New England during the nineteenth century.<ref>The Jones-Steele Family History: Dodge County, Minnesota by Earl W. Velander, Georgean Velander E. & G. Velander, 1990</ref> In 1853 government surveyors set lines for the townships. In 1854, two Mantor brothers and Eli P. Waterman established their claims in the area of present Mantorville. In early 1855, Dodge County was organized for local government. It was named for [[Henry Dodge]], the first governor of [[Wisconsin]] (1836–1841).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|year=1920|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n190 171]}}</ref>

The Minnesota State Constitution placed Dodge County in the Fifth Judicial District on May 11, 1858. The county courthouse was constructed in 1865; it is presently the oldest still-used courthouse in Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dodge County Courthouse |url=http://www.mncourts.gov/?siteID=0&page=CourtHouseProfile&ID=40018 |access-date=May 14, 2015 |publisher=Minnesota Judicial Branch}}</ref> As the 20th century began, emigrants from [[Germany]], [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]] flowed to Minnesota in increasing numbers. Their influence added [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Lutheran Church|Lutheran]] influence to the cultural mix.
[[File:Dodge Co MN Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Dodge County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 43-48. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]