The earliest record we have of Willow as a Township is a meeting of the supervisors held on March 29, 1887, at JOHNSON'S STORE, which is believed to have been located several miles east of Red Willow Lake. Willow Township is believed to have been organized a year or two earlier. The board supervisors were H. V. Safford (chairman), T. O. Torgerson, and Joseph Buchheit. E. G. Johnson was the clerk. Willow Township supposedly received its name from Red Willow Lake, and it in turn was named from the many willow trees growing around the lake.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 492