Melville Township is bordered by Carrington to the north, Bordulac on the east, Stutsman County to s so‑s2 the south and Longview on the west. The land is described as gentle rolling to rolling upland over two‑thirds of the township. The land is drained by small creeks, the Pipestem is found in the southwest corner. Lake Bonita is located on Section 33 and Dodds Lake on Section 18 on the Northeast quarter. Two dams were built on Lake Bonita during the WPA days. It provided a recreational area for many years. Another dam was built on Section 23. Highway 281 and 52 go through the township north and south. Paralleling the highway is the Northern Pacific Railroad. Highway No. 9 follows the southern border of the township. The Soo Line railroad crossed the Northeast corner of Section 1. The survey report was filed at Yankton, Dakota Territory on March 6, 1883. The total acreage being 23,049.40 Acres. Scott and Sturtevant surveyed the subdivisions, Milton Nye established the north and east boundary and George Beardsley the west and south boundaries in 1882. Settlers in the area when the surveyors came were:

D.C. Giffin	Northwest 2
G.G. Chandler	Northeast 2
D.F. Sexton	Southwest 2
E.S. Leavenworth	Southeast 2
Donald Graham	Southwest 14
John Logan	Northeast 22
Duncan Graham	Southwest 22
J.P. Davis	Northwest 30
C.M. Lockwood	Northeast 30
Mrs. Keepers	Northwest 36
W.L. Keepers	SW36
A.G. Elder	Southeast 36
J.J. Berkey	Southwest 12
J.C. Warner	Southeast 12
W.K. Bowing	Southwest 18
Frank Dodge	Northeast 24
L.W. Harnmen	Southwest 24
Peter P. Zink	Southeast 24
John Riley	Northwest 28
D.W. Redfield	Southwest 28
E. Burnham	Northwest 26
Calvin McGraw	Northeast 26
John McElroy	Northeast 34
George McElroy	Southeast 34
Thomas McElroy	Southwest 34

Newport was located on the Southwest corner of Southwest quarter of section 36.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 354