When Otter Tail County commissioners held their first meeting in September 1868, in Clitherall, New York Mills did not exist. It was a dense forest of white pine, red and white oak, tamarack and ash. Seemingly endless acres of timber attracted the attention of New York investors who formed the New York Mills Lumber Company.

Many of the workers were Finnish immigrants who had worked in the mining and timber industries in Upper Michigan and Minnesota’s Iron Range. So many Finns came to New York Mills that it became the fastest growing Finnish enclave in Minnesota.

This concentration turned New York Mills into a center of Finnish American cultural and political activity. It became an important publishing center of Finnish language newspapers and books, and in the 1920s and 30s, was home to an active Communist movement. The American Communist Party established its rural arm in New York Mills. The United Farmers League organized strikes, ran candidates in elections, disrupted farm foreclosures and sponsored youth camps in Leaf Lake Township.

While the communist movement was short lived, Finns maintained their political independence.

John Mark was mayor of New York Mills for over 30 years beginning in 1932. He was a bit odd and with his strong Finnish accent had a quaint way of expressing himself. Still, he was very capable and a lot of community progress took place during his tenure. He also had a wide circle of friends including Minnesota governor Floyd B. Olson. Olson came to New York Mills in 1934 to speak at the Northern Minnesota Finnish Mid Summer Festival. This was a major regional event that attracted a lot of people. In front of several thousand attendees Mayor Mark stood at the podium to introduce the governor. At the end of his remarks, the mayor said in his distinct Finnish accent “now let’s give Floydie the clap!”