Birtsell township is bordered on the north by Eddy county; East by Estabrook; south, Wyard, and west by Wells County.
The land is fairly level with some low spots that form sloughs. One area is called Scotts Slough that may be found on Sections 27, 28, 35, and 36. Rocky Runn, a small stream, crosses the northwest corner of the township. There is a gravel pit on section 28.
The Soo Line Railroad crosses the southwest corner, the Northern Pacific and Highway 281 cross the township north and south.
Lemert is located on Section 31. It was an old post office from 1893 to 1900. It was named for Judge Joshua Lemert, a Foster county pioneer and a long time judge of the county court. There was also an elevator at this location.
The town of Barlow is located on the northeast corner of section 12.
The survey report for Birtsell Township was filed at Huron, Dakota Territory, on September 18, 1884. The subdivisions were established by Scott and Sturtevant in 1884, the north, west, and south lines by Milton Nye in 1882 and the East line was surveyed by George Beardsley in August 1874.
Settlers in the area before the survey were:
| C.M. Bloomquist | Northwest 4 |
| James King | Southeast 4 |
| N. Kelly | Southwest 2 |
| Agnes Dickie | Southeast 2 |
| E. Elmquist | Southwest 8 |
| Charles Smith | Southeast 14 |
| August Wiltschko | Northwest 22 |
| Dan McVey | Southeast 30 |
| August Wiltschko | Northeast 26 |
| Arthur Buchie | Northeast 12 |
| Martin O'Hara | Southwest 12 |
| Patrick Bryon | Northeast 10 |
| M. Flemen | Northwest 10 |
| Maria McVey | Southeast 16 |
| William Brenderfelt | Northeast 24 |
| Mathias Wiltschko | Southwest 24 |
| James Sweeney | Southeast 28. |
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 152