The first township election was held in Barlow on May 24, 1921 for the purpose of organization. Officers elected were:
| Treasurer, | Thomas Kjos |
| Supervisors, | G.A. Walton, August Wiltschko, Andrew Roth, Chairman |
| Clerk, | William Wiltschko |
| Justice of the peace, | John Eggelton. |
The township was named after Charles Birtsell, a bachelor, who lived on a hill about two miles south of Barlow. He was elected Justice of the Peace at one time. Current officers:
| Clerk‑treasurer | Douglas Schmid |
| Assessor, | Frank Lemert |
| Supervisors, | Harold Schmid, Larry Lura, and John Holth. |
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 152