The history of Cologne begins with not one, but two villages – Benton and Cologne. Benton was incorporated in 1881, on land owned by Capser Kronschnabel, with a population of 100 citizens. It was named after the distinguished American statesman, Thomas H. Benton, who died in 1858. The Village of Cologne was also incorporated in 1881 on land owned by Adam and Paul Mohrbacher. Cologne was named by the Mohrbachers after Cologne, Germany . . . the city from where they emigrated from.
Both communities thrived for nearly 10 years, with farming and milling playing a large part in the economic make-up of both villages. In 1891, the two villages merged into the Village of Cologne, although Benton was not officially annexed by Cologne until the late 1970’s.
