Newton Township, organized March 22, 1877, was at first called New York Mills, which remains as the name of its principal village on the Northern Pacific railway, platted in 1883 and incorporated May 27, 1884. The township name was change July 26, 1883, the present name being adopted for its having the same first syllable as before.
Source: The Book “Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance” Volume 17 – 1920 By Warren Upham”