The first settlers came to Swede Grove Township in 1857, aptly named for the many Swedish settlers and the large tracts of woodland that they built their homes on. The town of Grove City is divided between Swede Grove and Acton Townships.

 

An interesting historical note is that Peterson Lake was so well surrounded by thick timber, that this 80-acre lake was missing from many government-issued plat maps because surveyors could not see the lake through the trees.