Both the community and township were named after George B. Dresbach, who founded the community and was a representative in the state legislature.[4] The post office was established in 1858 as Dresbach City, then changed to Sherwood in 1864, then back to Dresbach in 1866. The community once had a station on the former Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, a sawmill, and several brickyards, lead mines, and limestone and sandstone quarries.[5]