If there is anyone on this list that is related to Minerva Bovay of Mecosta Co., would you please contact me. Also if anyone might have some info related to the Bovay family of Mecosta Co. My local DAR Chapter is looking at going out to clean-up her cemetery monument and do a re-dedication. She is the only true daughter of the American Revolution that we know of in Mecosta Co. Thank you for any and all help. Jan

I've "rescued" an old photograph which was taken at the Crispell Studio in Battle Creek, Michigan of a group of students on vacation from Olivet College. The photograph is dated April 3 1876 and includes 6 of the students who were on that trip including: Ella HAZELTON of Hartford, WI Frankie HAZELTON of Hartford, WI Belle MATHER of Detroit, MI May SMITH of Somerset, MI Frank GREEN of Olivet, MI Sherman UPTON of Big Rapids, MI On the back of the photograph the following additional information has been noted about the trip and the people in the photograph: Fred V. GASTON of Burr Oak, MI A. M. FINNIMAS of Lapeer, MI (last name very difficult to read) Members of the "Odette of the Shrug" vacation of '76 Olivet College Always to be remembered Ella HAZELTON married to Carlos W. CHILDS April 24 1878 Frankie HAZELTON married to Mr. BURKE Feb 1879 Belle MATHER married to Frank A. DEAN Nov 10 1880 Frank N. GREEN married to Millie BRELNER Oct 13 1880 Fred Y. GASTON died at his home in Adrian Mar 12 1884 Sherman UPTON died Aug 11 1891 in Lexington NE Based on limited research I was able to locate information regarding those in the photograph and have included that information below: Mary Ella HAZELTON b. 24 Apr 1857 in Richland, MI Frances Ann HAZELTON b. 4 Mar 1859 in Trowbridge Township, MI Both are the daughters of Brooks Bowman HAZELTON (b. 10 May 1829 in Byron, NY) and Sarah Ann LANE (b. 19 Jul 1826 in Ira, NY) Mary Ella married Carlos Webster CHILDS (b. 10 Jun 1856 in NY, NY) on 24 Apr 1878 in Hartford, MI and together they had two children, Edna Ella and Frances Hazelton CHILDS born between 1879 and 1881, both in Whittaker, MI. Mary Ella died 1 May 1941 in Ypsilanti, MI. Helen Belle MATHER b. 7 Jan 1856 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Francis Parker MATHER (b. 19 Jul 1828 in Pierrepoint, NY) and Helen Maria LORD (b. 29 Nov 1829 in Dearborn, MI). Helen Belle had two siblings, Francis E. and Edward Lord MATHER also born in Detroit, MI between 1853 and 1863. Helen Belle married Frank DEAN (b. about 1855) on 10 Nov 1880 and she died 5 Jan 1942 in Los Angeles, CA. Census records provide the following clues as well: 1860 census of Lawrence, MI: John D. UPTON, age 30, a Lawyer, born NY Julia Ann UPTON, age 24, a Domestic, born NY Sarah UPTON, age 5, born NY Addie UPTON, age 3, born NY Sherman UPTON, age 2, born NY Harriet B. S. UPTON, age 2 months, born MI 1870 census of Decatur, MI: John B. UPTON, age 40, an Attorney at Law, born NY Julia A. UPTON, age 37, Keeping House, born NY Sarah M. UPTON, age 15, Attending School, born NY Addie S. UPTON, age 13, Attending School, born NY Sherman R. UPTON, age 11, Attending School, born NY Harriet B. S. UPTON, age 10, Attending School, born MI Rose M. UPTON, age 8, Attending School, born MI Daniel UPTON, age 6, Attending School, born MI Maria L. UPTON, age 2, born MI LeRoy P. UPTON, age 8 months, born MI Clay SHERMAN, age 26, a Law Student, born NY 1880 census Big Rapids, MI: John B. UPTON, age 50, born NY, a Lawyer, parents born NH/VT Julia A. UPTON, wife, age 47, born NY, Keep House, parents born NY Addie R. UPTON, dau, age 23, born NY, an Artist Sherman UPTON, son, age 22, born NY, at College Hattie B. S. UPTON, dau, age 20, born MI, at Home Rose E. UPTON, dau, age 18, born MI, at School Daniel UPTON, son, age 16, born MI, at Home Maria E. UPTON, dau, age 12, born MI, at School Leroy S. UPTON, son, age 10, born MI, at School George B. UPTON, son, age 8, born MI, at School Frank V. UPTON, son, age 5, born MI 1870 census of Detroit, MI: (living in the home of Eber & Elsie CHURCH) Bell MATHER, age 14, at School, born MI 1880 census of Walton, MI: Frank N. GREEN, age 21, born MI, a Farmer, parents born NY 1900 census of Walton Township, MI: Frank N. GREEN, age 41, born Apr 1859, married 19 years, born MI, parents born NY, an Editor Amelia M. GREEN, wife, age 41, born May 1859, married 19 years, 3 children/2 living, born MI, parents born Scotland/MI Marian B. GREEN, dau, age 15, born Apr 1885, born MI, at School Emma J. GREEN, dau, age 13, born May 1887, born MI, at School Isaac BREBRIAN, father-in-law, age 66, born Aug 1833, a widower, born Scotland, parents born Scotland, to USA 1851, a Farmer 1910 census of Walton Township, MI: Frank N. GREEN, age 51, married 29 years, born MI, parents born NY, a Port Master Amelia GREEN, wife, age 51, married 29 years, 3 children/2 living, born MI, parents born Scotland/MI Amarion GREEN, dau, age 25, born MI Emma GREEN, dau, age 22, born MI Isaac BREBIEN, Father-in-law, age 76, a widower, born Scotland, parents born Scotland, to USA 1866, a School House Janitor 1920 census of Walton Township, MI: Frank N. GREEN, age 60, a widower, born MI, parents born NY, a State Food Inspector Marion GREEN, dau, age 34, born MI Emma GREEN, dau, age 32, born MI, a High School Teacher 1880 census of Litchfield, MI: J. Sheldon SMITH, age 57, born CT, a Harness Manufacturer, parents born CT Elisa SMITH, wife, age 43, born NY, Keeping House, parents born Ireland/NY May SMITH, dau, age 19, born MI, at Home Mary O'NEIL, Mother-in-law, age 78, born NY, at Home, parents born NY I am hoping to be able to return the photograph to one of their families so that this wonderful old treasure can once again become a cherished family possession. If you are a member of one of these families, or if you know someone who might be, please contact me. Thanks, Shelley

Please be advised that the MIGenWeb Project, a proud member of the USGenWeb Project has moved it website to: http://www.migenweb.net We are now currently on our own domain, so regardless of what server we host our domain on, the URL will remain the same in the future. Several of the MIGenWeb county sites have moved and some others are also in the process of moving their sites with the state site. Please book mark this page, so that you will be able to find us and our county sites with the least amount of problems. We also ask you to please pardon our dust while the moves are in progress. We may suffer some broken links, but, will be working to repair them as quickly as possible. Thank you for your time and patience with us during this period of time. We look forward to working with you in your research and contributions to the MIGenweb Project. Jan Cortez MIGenWeb State Coordinator

Transcriptions have been added to the MI Tombstone Project and Archives for Rustford and Wamboldt Cemeteries. Generously donated by Larry & Audrey Staffen. We've also added quite a few Mecosta Co. Cemetery Tombstone over the past month, taken by Janet Stout. Stop in and take a look. http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/michigan/mitstable.htm Jan

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Wheatland Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:45 pm Wheatland township is township fourteen north, range seven west, Congressional survey, and is in the eastern tier of townships of Meocsta County. It is bounded on the north by sheridan Township, on the east by Isabella County, on the south by Millbrook Township, and on the west by Morton Township. It is on the divide between the watershed tributary to Lake Michigan, and that tributary to Lake Huron, and its land is accordingly higher than that of surrounding counties. Pointer and other creeks tributary to the Little Muskegon drain the northwestern part, while the greater part of the township is drained by Pine River and its branches (of which the most important is Pony Creek), which flow eastward into the Tittabawassee. Wheatland Township has a number of lakes, -- Lake No.1, Pine Lake, Pickett;s Lake, Gay Lake, Mud Lake, Lake No. 6, and others, which form the head-waters of the Little Muskegon and Pine Rivers. The township is crossed by a railroad recently constructed, the Detroit, Lansing & Northern, - which runs through the southwestern part. Wheatland contains no villages, although Millbrook lies just on its borders. The township of Wheatland was organized in October, 1862; and its first Supervisor was Jacob Schiedel. The first white settler was William Schiedel, who located on section 24, in September, 1860. Solon Hall located on section 36, the same year. The first birth was that of Ellen Hall, daughter of Solon and Mary Hall, in the summer of 1861. the first death was that of John Norman September 28, 1864. Catharine Robitzsch died about the same time. The first marriage, that of Thomas Ariss and Catharine McCloud, was solemnized by Solon Hall, a Justice of the Peace, in 1866. Others say that Isaac Harvey and Marisa Blood were the first couple married. The first frame building was a dwelling erected by John D. Clement, in September, 1865. the first mill was a water- power saw-mill erected by Frederick D. Miller, in June, 1875. The first school- house was a log building erected on section 26, in Decmeber, 1864. The first school was taught by Lydia Allen, in the winter of 1864-5. Others say that Adaline Aldrich taught the first school in the winter of 1865. The population of the township in 1864 was 120. This increased to 400 in 1870; to 632 in 1874; and to 1,170 in 1880. The township had 3,534 acres of improved land in 1878 and 4,320 acres in 1881. Its assessed valuation in 1868 was $44,313; and its present valuation is $424,214. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 200. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo55gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Sheridan Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:44 pm In the eastern tier of townships of the county is township 15 north, range 7 west, Congressional survey, names as above, and is bounded on the north by Fork Township, on the east by Isabella County, on the south by Wheatland Township, and on the west by Martiny Township. Sheridan is on the divide between the territory contiguous to Lake Michigan, and that stretching towards Lake Huron. It contains no stream of any size, except the south branch of the Chippewa River, which flows through the northwestern corner. In the eastern portion are Bamber Brook, and other samll streams flowing east, while in the southwestern part are the head-waters of the Little Muskegon. The township contains half a dozen very small lakes, and three lakes of some size are intersected by its boundary lines. Lake No. 6 lies near the southwestern corner, while Dimon Lake and Tubb;s Lake lie near the northwestern corner, and partly in Martiny township. Sheridan has no villages and no railroads. It was organized as a township in 1867, in the same year in which Fork was erected, and in October of that year it held its first election, which resulted in the choice of Edward P. Strong as the first Supervisor. Mr. Strong was the first white settler of the township, having located on section 12 the first of January, 1866. The first white child was Mary E., daughter of William W. and Susan McComb, who greeted the light April 29, 1866. The first two marriages - those of A. Berry and Angeline benscoter, and Chauncey Rogers and Minnie Gibbs -- were solemnized on the same day, Nov. 28, 1867, by Elder Z.W. Shepherd. the first death was that of Ella S. Hanna, and occurred June 1, 1866. The first frame building in the township was the school-house in District No. 1, built by John A. Markle. the first school-house was a log building erected on section 11, in the spring of 1868, and Mrs. Osborn taught the first school during the summer following. E.P. Strong opened the first store in June 1867. The first postoffice, Rienza, was established in the spring of 1870. Its population in 1870 was 135; in 1874, 160; and in 1880, 207. In 1878, it reported 990 acres of improved land, and in 1881, 1,192 acres. Its equalized valuation in 1868 was $44,312; and its present valuation is $204,139. Its total vote in November 1882, was 39. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo54gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.0 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Morton Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:43 pm Morton Township is numbered 14 north, of range 8 west, Congressional survey, and is bounded on the north by Martiny Township, on the east by Wheatland Township, on the south by Hinton Township and on the west by Austin Township. The Little Muskegon, its East and West Branches, and smaller tributaries, drain the township. In the western part are four good-sized lakes, and two smalled ones. the large ones are named Round Lake, Long Lake, Blue Lake and School Section Lake. The last named derives its name from the fact of being partly on section 16, the section which in every township is set apart for the benefit of the schools of the State. The recently constructed Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad passes through the northeastern portion of the township. Morton was organized as a civil township in January, 1877. The general census of 1880 gave a population to the township of 192. In 1879 it had 287 acres of improved land; in 1881 it had 642 acres. Its equalized valuation at the time of organization, in 1877, was 114,840; its present valuation is more than double that amount being $257,680. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 162. The township has had a marvelous growth in the last three years. The first mill was built by John Van Vleck & Son, at Palo, Mich., on the north side of the Little Muskegon River, and afterward moved about four miles north of Mecosta Village, where it is now run by charles Van Vleck, John Van Vleck having died in 1880. MECOSTA VILLAGE The village of Mecosta is but little over four years old, and owes its existance and prosperity to the construction of the D., L. & N. railroad through this county. The opening up of a rich agricultural and lumbering district, by this road, made a station near the center of the county, where several years previous a large number of hardy tillers of the soil had settled to the south and east, and already had many thousand acres of land well under cultivation, an absolute necessity; for the farmer nneded a market for his grain and produce, as well as a place to purchase supplies, while the lumberman needed a shipping point and base of supplies in order to carry on the business of manufaturing the sturdy pine (of which there is an immense forest to the north) into lumber, lath and shingles for transportation over the new railroad. Forseeing this necessity, Weber Bros., of Ionia, who also had a large interest in the pine land at this point, E. B. Moore, of Edmore, and Giles Gilbert, of Stanton, formed themselves into a stock company and platted what has since been known as the village of Mecosta. The plat, which was duly recorded July 17, 1879, contains 120 acres, and is beautifully located on the East Branch of the Little Muskegon, at the junction of the Alma and Clinton State road with the D., L. & N. railroad, 16 miles southeast of Big Rapids and 12 miles northwest of Millbrook, and is about four miles east of the geographical center of the county. The company gave Amos S. Johnson, formerly of Sherman City, full power of attorney, and made him the resident agent for the sale of lots. At that time nearly the entire plat was heavily timbered, although the greater portion of it is now cleared. The first lot was sold to Charles Cummings, of Stanton, shortly after the plat was recorded. The first building was put up by D. O'Brien about the 1st of October, 1879. H. W. Basingwaite, George Evans and A.S. JOhnson put up buildings the same month, and JOhn Van Vleck and son commenced the rection of a steam saw and shingle mill. During the fall and winter of 1879-80, several more buildings were put up by actual settlers, but not until the first of May, 1880, when trains commenced running regularly over the new road, did the young village experience a helathy growth. The first store was a general grocery and supply store, kept on Main Street, where is now Parks Brothers' hardware store, by H.W. Bassingwaite. The post-office was established in December, 1879, and John Van Vleck was appointed Postmaster. His widow is now Postmistress. The first hotel was opened by Ephriam LeGrange, in 1879, and christened the Mecosta House. It is on the corner of Main and Weber streets, and is now kept by Dominick O'Brien. The village was organized as a school district in 1879, and the school-house, begun in 1880, was completed in 1881. This was a log building, and the first school was taught by Mrs. M.A. chipman. the same year, the present nice frame school-house was completed, at a cost of $2,000. The first religious society was of the Baptist denomination, organized by John Van Vleck, and held its meetings in the log school-house. In the fall of 1880, the Methodists sent a minister by the name of Hoag, who remained about one year, also preaching in the log school-house. Rev. J. Berry at present holds services in the town hall, but the society is preparing to erect a church on the west side of the river, at a cost of $2,500. The first and only bank is the private bank of Gilbert & Wixson. The Mecosta Planing Mills were built by Rathvon Bros., and started in the spring of 1883. Mecosta Lodge, No. 93, A.O.U.W., was organized March 30, 1881. the present officers are A.S. Johnson, P.M.W.; C.W. Calkins, M.W.; A.R. Streeter, Recorder. The present membership is 28. Mecosta Lodge, No. 55, K.O.T.M., was organized in 1882, and, like the A.O.U.W., is an insurance society. The present officers are R.D. Reed, S.K.C.; J.H. Waller, S.K.F.K.; L.W. Esselstene, S.K.R.K. Mecosta has a good brass band, led by A.C. Waller, organized in May, 1882. The following are the first village officers of Mecosta, elected April 2, 1883: President, A.S. Johnson; Trustees for two years, H.M. Trussell, C.W. Parks, J.W. Pierce; Trustees for one year, J.W. Ferris, D.O'Brien, A.R. Streeter; Clerk, C.M. Calkins; Street Commissioner, E. LaGrange; Constable, Marvin Spencer; Assessor, E.A. Davis. The business interests of the village are represented by the following firms: Beard, Henry, wagon shop Black, George, general store Bromley Bros., livery stable Calkins, C.W., furniture store Conrad, E.S., photograph gallery Cooley, L.D., drug store Carman, M., general store Duley, R.H., Wilson House Diller, Mrs. George, dressmaking Evans, Mrs. R.G., notions Gilbert, G. & Co., general store Gardner, J.T., jewelry store Garland & Hornung, clothing house Gilbert & Wixson, bank Hullinger, James, drug store Morris Thomas, shoe shop Metzorg, Isaac, clothing store O'Brien, Dominick, Mecosta House O'Brien, W., restaurant Pangburn, W.S., boot and shoe store Parish, W.H., saloon Parks Bros., hardware store Reed, R.D., meat market Rice, Lewis, blacksmith Rathvon Bros., planing mill Stewart, B.M., grocery Trussell, H.M., Advance Office Thomas & Esselstene, millinery Thomas, Morris, harness shop Wernette & Schultz, blacksmith Wilcox, D.W., shingles & lumber Wilson, Albert, barber shop Wilcox, John, blacksmith Woolford, R.S., grocery & drug store Wernette, C.W. saloon Woolford, Mrs. N.O., millinery Among the professional men are C.B. Pattison and J.H, Waller, physicians, and N.W. Bush, lawyer. The last school census of the village contained the names of 225 children of school age, which would indicate a total population of nearly 800. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo53gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 8.0 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Millbrook Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:07 pm MILLBROOK TOWNSHIP The Township of Millbrook lies in the southeastern corner of the county, and is numbered 13 north, range 7 west, and is bounded on the north by Wheatland Township, on the east by Isabella County, on the south by Montcalm county and on the west by Hinton Township. It is watered by Black Creek, in the southwestern half, and by two branches of Pine River in the northeastern half. It also contains three or four small lakes. The village of Millbrook lies mostly in the township, and Blanchard lies just outside of its limits in Isabella County. Millbrook was organized into a civil township in October, 1865, and in the same month with Grant and Aetna Townships. Its first election resulted in the choice of Peter S. Decker as Supervisor. The first white settlers were Leonard and Hazen Aldrich, who located on section 14, in 1859. The first birth was that of Forest Aldrich, son of Leonard and Jane Aldrich, in August, 1859. The first death was that of Charles Roe, in November, 1866. The first marriages, those of Hazen Aldrich and Jane Jackson, and William F. thompson and Salina Aldrich, were both solemnized by John Bower, clergyman, in February, 1865. The first frame building was a dwelling erected by Hazen Aldrich in 1865. the first mill was a water-power saw-mill, erected by Hazen Aldrich in 1864. The first school-house was a log building, erected on section 11, in 1863. The first school was taught by Louisa Allen, in 1863. The first store was opened by W.S. Howd, in 1865, where the village of Millbrook is now located. The population of Millbrook Township by the census of 1870, was 302; by the State census of 1874 it has 412; and in 1880 the general census gave 706 inhabitants. In 1878 it had 2,151 acres of improved land; and in 1881, 2,407 acres. Its equalized valuation in 1866 was $29,957; and its present valuation is $564,748. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 107. MILLBROOK VILLAGE The village of Millbrook is a thriving place of between 300 and 400 inhabitants, on section one. It would undoubtedly grow faster, and have more business, had not the railroad been located so far away as it is. The citizens of the village offered the D.L. & N. Railroad Company every reasonable inducement to come to the village, but opposing influences were too strong. The first house was a log dwelling erected by Hazen Aldrich in 1863. The same man put up the first frame house on the village site, in 1864. The first store was opened by W.S. Howd, in March, 1865. The present school-house was erected in 1869, at a cost of $800. The principal is C.F. Fitzgerald. Millbrook has two religious organizations, -- the Congregational and Methodist Episcopal. The former denomination erected a church in 1874, at a cost of $3,000; and the latter have a small church now in process of construction. Rev. Mr. Schiedel preaches for the Congregationalists, and Rev. Mr. Wyant for the Methodists. Level Lodge, No. 219, I.O.O.F., has a membership of 35, and meets every Saturday evening. The principal officers at the present time are Levi S. Meneri, N.G.; Charles Knauss, V.G.; James Wylie, Secretary; William F. Denney, Treasurer. The post office was organized in 1869, and Orson N. Earl was the first Postmaster. Henry D. Brown at present holds the appointment. The folowing list comprises all the firms at present doing business in Millbrook: Aldrich, Forest, wagon shop Brooks, Keller & Eicher, restaurant Brown, H.D., postoffice, notions Denney, William F., furniture store Dysinger, George, blacksmithy Dole & Precious, saloon Decker, G. A., harness shop Eicher, A., meat market Fink, R.M., dry goods Harmon, E., Harmon House Howd, A.J., feed and flous Horton, E.T., general store Haggett, George, blacksmithy Kenrick, E.H., drug store Lock, Frank, barber shop Norton & Carman, grist-mill Pattison, J.M. & Co., drug store Richards, James & Co., hardware store Stanley, J.B. grocery Stanton, H., blacksmithy Willett, Ida, millinery The medical profession is represented by C.H. Rodi, S.A. Gates, J.W. Pattison and W.J. Cree; and the legal by D.C. Fuller and W.S. Howd, the former of whom is Justice of the Peace. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo52gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Mecosta Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:06 pm Mecosta Township is numbered 14 north, range 10 west, Congressional survey, and is situated in the western tier of townships of Mecosta County. It is bounded on the north by Big Rapids Township0, on the east Austin Township, on the south by Aetna Township, and on the west by Newaygo County. It contains some of the best agricultural land in the county, and also much fine timber, of which, however, the greater part has been cleared away. It contains the villages of Stanwood and Rustford, on sections 25 and 13. The Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad runs through sections 12, 13, 24, and 25; and the Grand Rapids and Big Rapids State road runs through the central portion of the township. Mecosta is excellently watered, and its land is lower geographically than any other land in Mecosta County. The Muskegon River enters the township in the northeast corner, and leaves it in the southwest corner, though it flows in by no means a straight line. It meanders in such a fashion that the total length of river is more than twice the length of a line drawn diagonally through the township. Besides the river, there are no less than a dozen streams flowing into it within the township, of which the most important are Cold Spring, Mac's and Davis Creeks. The township of Mecosta was organized in March, 1861, and R. A. Moon was its first Supervisor. The first white settler was John Davis, who located on section 27, in 1851, and was also the first settler of the county. He resides still on his first location. The first birth was that of James Hyde, son of Hannibal and Mary Hyde. The first death was that of William Davis, who departed his life in February 1852. The first marriage was that of James Sutherland and Hannah C. Jaquett, solemnized by H. Gilmore, clergyman, Oct. 21, 1859. The first frame building was a barn, built by John Davis, in 1856. The first mill was a saw-mill, built by Francisco and Marcy, in 1870. The first school-house was a frame building erected in 1859, on section three; and the first school was taught by Mary Gilmore. The first store was opened by James H. Rogers, in 1865. The first postoffice, Mecosta, was established in 1865. In 1864, Mecosta Township had a population of 222; in 1870, 263; in 1874, 392; and in 1880, 613. In 1878, it had 1,654 acres of improved land; in 1880, 1,600 were reported. Its equalized valuation at time of organization was $67,627.14; and its present valuation is $195,035. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 99. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo51gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Martiny Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:05 pm This is township 15 north, range 8 west, Congressional survey, and is bounded on the north by Chippewa Township, on the east by Sheridan Township, on the south by Morton Township, and on the west by Colfax Township. It is drained in the northeastern part by the South Branch of the Chippewa, including its tributaries, Upper and Lower Evans Lakes, Bloom Lake, Dimon Lake, Tubb's Lake and others: but the greater part of the township is drained by the WEst Branch of the Little Muskegon River, which is the outlet for Horsehead Lake, Martiny or Johnson Lake and Pretty Lake. Horsehead Lake is the second body of water in the county, in point of size. In the southeast part is the east branch of the Little Muskegon River. Through the southwestern part of the Township runs the recently constructed Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad, and through the northwestern part runs the Chippewa Branch of the same road. Martiny was organized as a civil township in January, 1875, and elected its first supervisor, Nicholas Thieson. the first white settler was John Martiny, who located on section four in 1868. The first birth was that of Helen Albert, daughter of Christopher and Ann Albert, in 1870. The first death was that of John Johnson, in 1873. The first marriage was that of Noah Eaton and Mary Kent, solemnized by George Shields, Justice of the Peace, June 7, 1875. The first school-house was a log building erected on section four in 1873. The first school was taught by Nellie Sheir, in 1873. the first post-office - Martiny - was established in November, 1875. The census of 1880, the only one taken since Martiny wa organized, gives it 192 inhabitants. It had 287 acres of improved land in 1879, and 642 in 1881. Its equalized valuation when organized, in 1875, was $102,470.05; and its present valuation is $424,478. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 25. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo50gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.6 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Hinton Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:02 pm This is Congressional Township 13 north, range 8 west, and is bounded on the north by Morton Township, on the east by Millbrook Township, on the south by Montcalm County and on the west by Deerfield Township. It is drained by Silver Creek (into which flows Decker Creek), in the south, which flow westward into the Little Muskegon, sometimes known as the South Fork of the Muskegon River. This stream itself flows in a southwesterly direction through the northwestern corner of the Township. There are two post-offices in Hinton. Altona on sections six and seven, and Sylvester on section ten. The township of Hinton was organized in January, 1860, and the first Supervisor was R. Van Dewater. The first white settler was John Hinton, who located on section fifteen, in June, 1855. The first birth was that of Margaret Kibbe, Aug. 15, 1857. The first death was that of Phoebe Hinton, Feb. 18, 1860. The first marriage was that of John Hinton and Mariette Rockwood, solemnized by Leonard Aldrich, Justice of the Peace, May 26, 1860. Another report says that Samuel W. Rose and Ann Hinton were the first couple married. The first frame building was a barn, 30 x 50 feet, erected by John Hinton, in the summer of 1856. The first mills were a saw-mill, built by William Seaton and Bartley Davis, and a flouring mill, built by Harrison J. Brown, in the summer of 1868. Both are water power mills, located on the Little Muskegon, where the Village of Altona was afterward paltted. The first school-house was a log building, erected on section 21, in 1861. The first school was taught by Rachel Whitzell, in the summer of 1861. Others say that Lydia Allen taught the first school, in the spring of 1861. One report says that Harrison J. Brown opened the first store in 1868; another says that David Fowler opened the first at Sylvester. The first post-office in Hinton Township was Hinton, established in 1862. In 1860, the year of the organization of the township, the population was 153; in 1864 it was 167; in 1870 it was 390; in 1874 it was 638 and in 1880 it was 986. In 1878 the township was reported to have 3,799 acres of improved land; in 1881 only 2,971 acres were reported. This apparent decrease was due merely to a change in Supervisors, and consequently no standard of classification. Hinton's equalized valuation at the time of organization was $70,194.38, and its present valuation is $302,298. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 189. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo49gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Green Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:02 pm Green Township is numbered 16 north, range 10 west, of the Congressional survey, and lies in the northwest corner of Mecosta County. It is bounded on the north by Osceola County, on the east by Grant Township, on the south by Big Rapids Township, and on the west by Newaygo County. Besides an exact Congressional Township, Green includes a little over two sections which naturally belong to Grant Township, but are cut off from it by the Muskegon River, and are therefore for convenience' sake attached to Green. Muskegon river forms thus the eastern boundary for a mile and a half. It then flows west for about four miles and then in a southerly direction until it leaves the township. the land is watered also by Buck Horn, Paris, Shaw and Tinny Creeks, and a number of smaller streams, all of which are tributary to the Muskegon. The township was organized in 1858, before the county of Mecosta was detached from Newaygo, and was of th only two townships organized when the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Mecosta County was held, in May 1859. Jesse A. Barker, who was at this meeting, was the first Supervisor of Green Township. The first white family in the Township was that of James Montague, who settled on section 27 in June, 1854. The first white child born was Helen Montague, daughter of James and Laura Montague, born in 1855. Theophilus Humphrey, son fo Charles B. and Jane Humphrey was born in the fall of 1857. The first death was that of Mrs. Millard, in 1859. The first marriage, that of John McFarlane and Betsey Turk, was solemnized by Jesse A. Barker, Justice of the Peace, Dec. 25, 1860. The first frame building was a house erected by Andrew and Lewsi H. Green, in 1857. The lumber for it was drawn from Big Prairie, a distance of 30 miles or more, and the mortices of the framework were dug with an old chisel and a mallet, without the aid of an auger, there being no such a tool in town. John Parish and Andrew McFarlane erected a frame dwelling the same year. the first mill was a saw-mill, built by John Parish and Andrew McFarlane, in 1857, on Parish Creek, near where the village of Paris now stands. The first school-house was a log building, erected in May, 1858, on section 28. The first school was taught by Martha J. Evarts, in the summer of 1858. The first store was opened by Edmund M. Stickney, in 1866. The first post-office, Paris, was established in 1864. The census of 1860 gave Green Township 246 inhabitants; in 1864, the State Census showed but 235. In 1870 the population had increased to 616; in 1874 to 886, and in 1880 to 1,132. In 1878 the township had 1,395 acres of improved land; and 4,638 in 1881. Its equalized valutation in 1859 was $144,306.60; and its present valuation in $418,676. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 166. -------------------------------------------------PARIS VILLAGE----------------- ------------------------------- The village of Paris is located on the east half of section 16, and on the west bank of the Muskegon River. The first white settler was JOhn Parish, the "father" of the village, which he laid out. It was named "Parish," and this was afterwards changed to the present appellation, "Paris." He also built the first house of logs, about 1864, on the village site. He also built the first frame house. Among the early settlers was Andrew McFarlane, who, in partnership with Parish, built and operated a saw-mill. Other early settlers were E.M. Stickney and James Wright. Mr. Stickney opened the first store, in February, 1866. Shaler & Fitting built the mill now owned by E.M. Stickney, in 1867. Paris is not incorporated, and has a population of about 350. There are no lodges or other organizations. A small, neat church has just been built by subscription, in which all denominations may meet. The pastor who preaches every Sunday in this church lives at Hersey, Osceola County. The following are names of the business men of the village: BR> Bisbee, J.E. , grocery and drug store. Frink, L.M., Frink's Hotel. Hopkinson, W.D., general store Johnson, T.C., wagon shop. Leggett, I.J., drug store. Murphy & Dolan, saloon. Nichols, J.E., restaurant. Robison, H.M., blacksmith. Symonds, S.H., shoe shop. Swigler, N.J., blacksmith. Stickney, E.M., saw and grist mill. Scranton, W.S., saloon. The medical profession is represented only by Dr. I.J. Leggett. The most important event in the history of Paris was the great fire of 1879. At about half past three o'clock in the morning of Monday, May 26, the rear part of Andrew McFarlane's store was discovered to be on fire. A strong wind was blowing from the northeast at the time, but two or three minutes elapsed before the entire building was enveloped in flames. McFarlane's hotel, the "Muskegon House," which stood adjacent to the store on the south side, was on fire; but a few minutes after the alarm was given, and the inmates of the hotel had barely time to get out, some of them saving but a part of their apparel. The store buildings of E.M. Stickney, situated on the opposite side of the street, and occupied by Mr. S. Elwood, with a general stock of merchandise, were on fire before half the prople of the village had been aroused from their slumbers. A two-story building adjacent on the south, owned by Mrs. Annie Hall, of Detroit, and occupied by Mr. Elwood with a stock of crockery, melted into smoke and ashes with the rest. A large two-story building, originally designed for a store, but occupied by Elliot Cheney for a hotel, which stood next south of the store-buildings occupied by Mr. Elwood, was also in flames about as soon as the others, all of them being directly in the course in which the flames were driven by the wind. The inmates of this last mentioned building escaped with most of their apparel, which was about all that was saved. The Cheney Hotel was owned by Mrs. Roxy Compton. another large two- story store building, situated several rods south of the Cheney Hotel, was the next to take fire. It was occupied as a residence by two families, one of them being that of Mr. Judkins, station agent at Paris, and they had time to remove all or nearly all their household goods. A substantial barn belonging to E.M. Stickney, and two or three cheap cow stables, complete the list of buildings destroyed. Mr. McFarlane saved literally nothing from his store, in fact no one attempted to enter the building, the entire inside being a sheet of flame before the inmates of the surrounding buildings were apprised of the danger that threatened them. Mr. McFarlane's loss on buildings and stock was about $7,000 or $8,000, with no insurance. Mr. Stickney's loss on buildings was about $2,500, with $1,500. insurance. He also lost about $200 worth of lumber, which was piled near the railroad track, in the rear of McFarlane's store. A small warehouse situated at the rear of Stickney's building, and owned by Fox, Shields & Co., of Grand Rapids, was insured for $300. Mr. Elwood's loss on merchandise was about $10,000, with $4,000 insurance. Only a few handfuls of goods were saved. The postoffice was located in Elwood's store, and the letter case and stamp drawer were saved, but the paper mail and the puuch containing the letter mail to come south that morning, were swallowed up in the flames. Mrs. Hall's building was worth about $1,200. Mrs. Compton's building was worth about $1,200, and was insured for $300. Mr. Cheney, who occupied the building, lost about $500. with no insurance. Mrs. Staab's building was worth about $1,000. Many other buildings were in imminent danger; but the activity of the citizens fortunately saved them. Among other things burned were the books and records of the town of Green, which were in Mr. Elwood's store. The origin of this disastrous conflagration is not known. It was probably a case of incendiarism. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo48gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 8.6 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Grant Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:01 pm This is slightly smaller than any other township in the county. It comprises all of township sixteen north, range nine west, Congressional survey, except section six and parts of section five and seven, which, being cut off by the Muskegon River, are, for the sake of convenience, attached to Green Township. It is bounded on the north by Osceola County, on the east by chippewa Township, on the south by Colfax Township, and on the west by Green Township. It is watered in the northern part by the Muskegon River and its tributaries, Pogie Creek and Blodgett Creek, and in the southern part by Pickerel Lake River and Ryan Creek. The Township contains several small lakes, drained by these streams, of which the most important are Blodgett Lake, Mud Lake, Pickerel Lake, Young Lake and Little Young Lake. These lakes and streams abound in fish, and no better field for the sportsman exists than Grant township. It has no railroad within its borders and yet much of its territory has been cleared and settled. The township was given a civil organization in 1865, and the first election was held in October of that year. The first white settler was Sylvanus Ford, a single man, who located on section 20 in 1863. The first family to settle in Grant was that of Charles L. Tuttle, who located on section 18, also in 1863. The first birth was that of Irving Tuttle, son of Charles L. and Mary C. Tuttle, which occurred July 4, 1865. The first death was that of Uryal Aldrich, in 1865. The first marriage was that of Uryal Aldrich and Mary Donley, in 1863. The first frame building was a dwelling erected by Sylvanus Ford, in 1871. The first school-house was a log building erected on section 18, in 1868. The first school was taught by Lydia Marsh, in the same year. By the census of 1870, the population was 144; in 1874 it was 179, and in 1880 it was 307. In 1878, Grant Township has 1,231 acres of improved land; in 1881 it had 1,324. Its equalized valuation in 1866 was $44,797; its present valuation is $240,107. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 71. The first officers of the township were: Supervisor, Charles L. Tuttle; Clerk, Abram Van Alstine; Treasurer, Allen Moore; School Inspectors, Peter Long, and S.C. Hemphill; Highway Commissioners. Hugh McCune, R. Whalen, and H.M. Wilder; Justices of the Peace, Sylvanus Ford, Hugh McCune, S.C. Hemphill and R. Whalen; Constables, William White and Joseph Morgan. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo47gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.1 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Fork Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:00 pm Fork Township is situated in the northeast corner of Mecosta county, and is Congressional township 16 north, range 7 west; and is bounded on the north by Osceola County, on the east by Isabella County, on the south by Sheridan Township, and on the west by Martiny Township. (Actually in reality - this is incorrect - Chippewa Township is to the west.) It is watered by Chippewa River, the North and South branches of the same, Rat-Tail Creek and Chippewa Creek. The last two are tributaries of the North Branch, which they join in about the center of the township. These streams, especially the South Branch, are the outlet of a score or more of lakes, of which but three or four are in Fork township. The others are mostly in Chippewa and Martiny townships. Fork has no railroad, no village, and but one post-office, --Fork. The territory above described was organized into a township in October, 1867, and William Creevey was elected the first Supervisor. The first white settler was Marvin A. Rogers, who located on section 28, in the winter of 1865-6. Among the other early settlers, who came between 1866 and 1868, were John H. Gibbs, Charles Rogers, Chauncey Rogers, Charlie Powers, Almond Mott, Leonard Chroshaw, Walter Kendall, Philip Chroshaw, William Brown, J.H. Groom, Oliver Bark, and Leland Roe. The first white child born was Gazelle Murphy, daughter of James and Josephine Murphy, Aug. 21, 1866. The first death was that of John Nicholson, in the fall of 1869. The first marriage was that of Marvin A. Rogers and Alice Ford, in the fall of 1867, solemnized by Elder Z.W. Shepherd. The first frame building in the township was erected by L.W. Roe, in the fall of 1870. The first school-house was a log building put up on section 28, in the summer of 1870; and the first school was taught by Mrs. Cynthia L. Brown, during the same summer. The first store was opened by Lewis E. Wolcott, in 1875. The first and only post-office, Fork, was established in the spring of 1860. In 1870, the population of Fork Township was 163; in 1880, this had more than doubled, being 343. In 1878, Fork had 1,670 acres of improved land. In 1881, under a different rule of assessment, it had 1,219. Its equalized valuation in 1868 was $64,096; and its present valuation is $122,705. The total vote in November, 1882, was 43. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo46gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.0 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Deerfield Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 4:00 pm Deerfield Township is thirteen north and nine west, of the Congressional survey. It lies in the southern tier of Mecosta County, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Austin Township; on the east by Hinton Township; on the south by Montcalm County; and on the west by Aetna Township. It is well watered, the Little Muskegon flowing nearly west through the middle of the township. It traverses the township on sections thirteen, twenty-four, twenty- three, twenty-two, twenty-ne, twenty, twenty-nine and thirty, from which it leaves the township. In the northern part of Deerfield are Quigley Creek, which flows with and enters the Little Muskegon near the center of the township, and the East branch of Big Creek, which flowing southwest unites with the Little Muskegon near the Village of Morley, in Aetna Township. In the southern part of Deerfield begin several small streams, which, although they flow south, finally find their way to the Little Muskegon. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad barely enters the township, running through sections six and seven. A portion of the thriving village of Morley belongs to Deerfield, although the main part is in Aetna Township. Bell's Crossing and Rustford, small stations on the D.L. & N. railroad, are situated in Deerfield Township. The territory included in Deerfield was organized in March 1861, and its first Supervisor was Samuel S. chipman. The first white settler was George Quigley, who located on section four. The first birth was that of James Quigley, son of George and Jane Quigley, in 1858. The first death was that of Frederick Eckard, in 1863. The first marriage was that of Isaac Sedore and Elizabeth Smith, solemnized by George Quigley, Justice of the Peace, in December 1862. The first frame building in the township was a dwelling erected by Lysander Quigley, in 1859. The first mill was a small water-power grist-mill and saw- mill, built on the little Muskegon River by Ethan Saterlee. The first school- house was a log building erected on section five, in 1862; and the first school was taught the same year by Margaret Quigley. The first store was opened by George Magill, in 1863. The first post-office, Big Creek, was established about 1865. In 1864 the population of Deerfield Township was 296; in 1870 it was 564; in 1874 it was 654; and in 1880 it was 1,093. In 1878 the township had 4,389 acres of improved land; and in 1881 it had 4,491 acres. At the time of its organization, in 1861, the equalized valuation was $40,451; and its present valuation is $300,080. The total vote of the township in November, 1882, was 145. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo45gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Colfax Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:59 pm This is township 15 north, range 9 west, Congressional survey, and is bounded on the north by Grant Township, on the east by Martiny, on the south by Austin Township, and on the west by Big Rapids Township. The township is drained principally by Ryan Creek, which flows west through the northern part of the township. There are several good-sized lakes and a number of smaller ponds in Colfax. The largest is Clear Lake, on section 21. In the northwest corner are Long Pond and Town Line Lake. On the northern boundary is Pickerel Lake; and in the northeastern part of the township are Colby Lake, Cook Lake, Mud Lake and Twin Lakes. In the southwestern part of the township is the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, which crosses section 31. On this road is Byers' station and postoffice. The Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad runs through sections 18,17,16,15,14, and 13. In section 13 the Chippewa branch connects with the main line, and at this junction is the new village of Rodney, which has good prospects for future growth. The township of Colfax was organized in 1869, and its first Supervisor was Sidney L. Rood. the first white settler was Lloyd W. Simonds, who located on section 19, in 1860. The first death was that of Helen A. Rood. The first couple married were Noble D. Rood and Martha A. Edwards. The ceremony was preformed June 30, 1869, by Lloyd W. Simonds, Justice of the Peace. The first frame building was a barn erected by L.W. Simonds in 1868. the first mill was a portable steam saw-mill, put up by Henry Escott, in 1869. The first school- house was a frame building erected on section 31, in 1870. The population of Colfax Township in 1870 was only 146. In 1874 it had increased to 263; and the census of 1880 showed a further increase to 669. It had 2,001 acres of improved land in 1881. The present equalized valutaion of the real and personal property of the township is $264,842. Its total vote in November, 1882, was 94. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo44gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.7 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Chippewa Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:58 pm Chippewa Township, situated in the northern tier of townships of Mecosta County, is township 16 north, range seven west, Congressional survey, and is bounded on the north by Osceola County, on the east by Fork Township,on the south by Martiny Township, and on the west by Grant Township. It is on the divide between the two slopes drained by the Muskegon and the chippewa, though most of it is tributary to the Chippewa. Pogie Lake, in the northwestern part, is the source of Pogie Creek, which unites with Muskegon River in Grant Township. South through the central part of the township flows Roundy Branch, which enters Upper Evans Lake on the southern line of the township. This lake has from its southern end, which is in Martiny Township, a short outlet flowing into Lower Evans Lake. This in turn flows by another short outlet into the South Branch of the Chippewa. On the head-waters of the Roundy Branch and tributary streams are Pine Lake, Emerald Lake, and a number of smaller bodies of water. On the northern boundary lies Big Stone Lake, which projects into Osceola County, and in the southwestern part of the township lies Chippewa Lake, the largest body of water in Mecosta county. It may be considered as the source of the South Branch of the Chippewa. It coevers parts of sections 19,20,21,29, and 30, and is 800 or more acres in extent. A railroad has recently been built to Chippewa Lake, as a branch from the Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad, and a small steamer plies on the lake. It may in time become a very popular resort. Chippewa Township was given a civil organization in 1868, and it elected as its first Supervisor, JOhn W. Sparks. The first white settler, a Mr. Pollock, located on section six, in the spring of 1865. The first birth, that of Mary McCormack, daughter of Malcolm and Catherine McCormack, occurred April 20, 1868. The first death was that of Mrs. Sylvester Smith. The first marriage, that of Robert Jamieson and Minnie Martiny, was solemnized by Rev. E.B. Miner, in January, 1868. The first frame building was a barn, erected by William Perry in 1874. The first mill was a saw-mill, erected by R.W. Kimball, in 1872. The first school-house was a log building erected on section eight, in the spring of 1870; and the first school was taught by Z.N. Tidd, in the summer of the same year. The first store was opened by Wilson Brothers in June, 1873. The first postoffice, Chippewa Lake, was established in 1870, with S.V. Tice as Postmaster. The Chippewa Grange is an organization deserving mention. It was started in 1874, with a membership of 25. At the present itme it has 30 members, and is in excellent condition. They have a hall, built in 1879. The lumber interest is of great importance in Chippewa Township. The Chippewa Lumber Company purchased 150,000,000 feet of timber near Chippewa Lake, in the fall of 1882. The also purchased the D. F. Comstock Mill at Big Rapids, and removed the same to Chippewa Lake during the winter. They commenced sawing the 1st of June. They will soon have a large plaing mill and shingle mill in connection with their lumber business. The same firm have platted a village called Chippewa, which is growing rapidly, and has excellent prospects for future prosperity, as the nearest towns are Evart and Big Rapids, 12 miles distant. On section 2 is a saw-mill with a capacity of 18,000 feet per day, run by William Wilson, Bro. and Miller. In 1870, the population of Chippewa Township was only 140. In 1874 this had increased to 291, and in 1880 the census credited it with 445. In 1878 it had 1,522 acres of improved land; and in 1881 it had 1,737 acres. In 1869 the equalized valuation of its real and personal estate was $32,414; and its present valuation is $426,680. The total vote of the township, in November, 1882, was 54. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo43gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Big Rapids Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:57 pm The township of Big Rapids, containing the city of the same name, is an exact Congressional township, being township fifteen north, range ten west. It contains 23,040, acres of land, of which as large an amount is under cultivation as in any other township in Mecosta County. It is intersected by the Muskegon River, which flows in a winding course south through the eastern part of the township. Flowing east through the northern part, and empyting into the Muskegon at Big Rapids, is Mitchell's Creek. In the southern part are Cold Spring and other small creeks, which flow into the Muskegon. Big Rapids is pre-eminently the railroad township of the county, being traversed by three lines,--the Grand Rapids & Indiana, the Detroit, Lansing & Northern, and the Chicago & West Michigan (formerly the Muskegon & Big Rapids). The township was organized in 1858, under the name of Leonard. Luther cobb, was the first Supervisor. In 1865, by act of the Legislature, the name was changed to Big Rapids. The first white settler of the township was John Parish, who located on section 14, in 1851, and was also one of the first two settlers in the county. Many of the first events in the county occurred in this township. The first birth in the township and also in the county was that of Alice Brockway, daughter of William and Margaret Brockway, Feb. 12, 1853. The first marriage in both township and county was that of Silas Moore and Sally French, solemnized by Elder Kelley in the fall of 1854. The first frame dwelling was the two-story boarding-house built by Warren & Ives in 1857. The first mill was the water-power saw-mill built by the same parties in the spring of the same year. This was the first frame structure in town; and a run of stone afterwards added, made it the first grist-mill in the county. The first school-house was a two-story frame building, erected in 1859, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Oak Street, in Big Rapids, and afterwards known as the First Ward School-house of the city. The first schoolk was taught by Mrs. Mary Fuller, in the summer of 1860. The population of Big Rapids (then Leonard) Township in 1860 was 317; in 1864 it was 342; in 1870 it was 465; and in 1880 it was 549. It had 2,440 acres of improved land in 1878 and 2,239 acres in 1881. The decrease is only apparent, and is due to different standards used in different years. The equalized valutation of real estate and personal property in 1859 was $161,279.36; and its present valuation is $312,790. This of course excludes Big Rapids City. The toal vote in November, 1882, was 87. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo42gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 3.3 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Austin Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:57 pm The Township of this name is numbered 14 north, range 9 west, Congressional survey, and is bounded on the north by Colfax Township, on the east by Morton Township, on the south by Deerfield Township, and on the west by Mecosta Township. Austin lies between the Muskegon and the Little Muskegon, the former of which just touches the northwestern corner of the township. Rising in Austin Township are a score of small streams, which all flow from the center. Those on the east flow to the east, those on the south, to the south, and those on the west to the west. Among the more important of these streams are Mac's Creek, Quigley Creek and Beaver Creek. In the northeastern corner is Burdon Lake. The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad passes along the western border, running through sections 6 and 31. The township contains no villages. Austin was organized in January, 1869, and its first Supervisor was Jacob Snyder. The population of the township according to the census of 1870, was 340. In 1874 it had grown but a little, and had 416. By the census of 1880, it had doubled its population of six years before, and had 833. Its increase in acreage of improved land was still greater. In 1874 it had 1,089 acres, and in 1881 it had 2,464. The equalized valuation of its real and personal estate at the time of its organization in 1869, was $125,727. Its present valuation is $267,028. Its total vote, in November, 1882, was 56. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo41gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 2.1 Kb

Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Aetna Township 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:56 pm This Township, occupying the southwest corner of Mecosta County, is numbered thirteen north, range ten west, Congressional survey, and is bounded on the north by Mecosta Township, on the east by Deerfield Township, on the south by Montcalm County and on the west by Newaygo County. It is watered by both the Muskegon, which crosses the northwest corner, and Little Muskegon, crossing the southeastern corner. It contains also Ryerson Creek and Brockway Creek, flowing into the Muskegon, and Big Creek, with its tributaries, West Branch and Clear Creek, flowing into the Little Muskegon. The township contains several small lakes, among which are Davis Lake, Briar Patch Lake and Brady Lake. The greater part of the Village of Morley lies in Aetna Township. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad runs through sections thirteen, twenty-four, twenty-five and thirty six. <BR> Aetna was the eighth township organized in Mecosta county, its first election occurring Oct. 10, 1865. Its first Supervisor was Frederick R. Luther. the first white setter was William Brockway, who located on section twenty-nine. The first birth was that of Ira P. Mitchell, son of William G. and Mary A. Mitchell. the first death was that of Platt Mitchell in April, 1855. the first couple married were that of Fred Matthews and Mary Howe, by Clark D. Green, Justice of the Peace, in June, 1864. The first frame building was a dwelling erected by Clark D. Green, in 1868. the first mill was a portable saw-mill put up by A. B. Bunn, in 1869. The first school-house was a log building erected on section ten, in 1860. The first school was taught by Rachel Whitzel, in 1861. The first store was opened by John Butler, in 1869. The first post-office, Morley, was established in 1869. Aetna Township shows remarkably steady and rapid increase of population. In 1870, at the first census after its organization, Aetna had already a population of 385. The State Census of 1874 gave 557, and the last census, in 1880, showed a total of 894. In 1874, it had 722 acres of improved land, and in 1881 it had 1221 acres. In 1866 the equalized valuation of its real and personal estate was $27,078. Its present valuation is $192,480. The total vote in November, 1882, was 231. MORLEY The village of Morley owes its existence to the construction of the G.R. & I. railroad. The first settlers on the village plat were Charles Lawson, Nelson Pike, M. Swanger, George H. Ward, Hiram Bryant, Allen Chapin, Rodney Elmer and Harvey Winas, all of whom came in the summer or fall of 1869. The post-office was established the same fall, and Frank P. Bodwell was appointed the first Postmaster. The present postmaster is D.C. King. The population of the village increased very fast, and in one year had become 328, by the actual count of M. Swanger, who took a census in the fall of 1870. This showed a sufficient population to warrant the incorporation of the village, which was ordered by the County Board of Supervisors the same fall. The first officers elected were: Michael Swanger, President; A. Chapin, Clerk; H. Daniels, Treasurer. In 1883 Morley was incorporporated by the Legislature, and the following officers were chosen: George H. Ward, President; W.H. Richmond, clerk; George H. Force, John Pierdon, William Hugh, Sen., M.T. Nethaway, William T. Jones and John Hanson, Trustees. The population of the village is now between 500 and 600. The following is the list of business men and firms now in Morley: Beard, F. C., Grocery Carr, J.M., lumber and shingles Chapin, Allen, general store Cutler, J.F. & Co., hardware store Dickerson, Isiah, livery stable Davy & Flock, wagon shop & blacksmith Higbee & Hugh, lumber and lath Hill, William, restaurant Force, George H., general store Hanson Bros., grocery Hicks, W. H. , drug-store Hanson, M., notions <BR> Jones, w. T., shingles<BR> Jones, Wellington, crockery Johnes & Hugh, grist-mill Lake, W.O., stationery Loshbough, G.B., wagon-shop and blacksmithing Lawson, Charles, boot and shoe store Morgan Bros., furniture store Mickins, Spencer, barber shop Pelton, Lon. A., hardware store Pike, Nelson, drug store<BR> Pike, Mrs. a., millinery shop Pierdon & Sanegar, tannery Reynier, Julius, hotel and saloon Rockwell, Mrs. Wm., millinery shop Richmond, W.H., jewelry store Smith, O. W., photograph gallery Swanger, M., bakery and restaurant Thurkow, John E., general store Trask, R. S. , Saloon Wiley, N.W., shingles Ward, Mrs. G.H., millinery Wagner & Foolmer, shingles Whitbeck, L.I., meat market Woolworth, B. F., harness shop The medical profession is represented by Drs. B.F. Brown, B.H. McMullen, and J. B. Cook; and the legal by D.C. Moshier. M.L. Jones is the station agent on the G.R. & I. Railroad. The Morley Advance is a five column folio, printed at Mecosta, of which about three columns are items pertaining to Morley. H.O. Lake is the Morley editor. H.M. Trussell is the proprietor and publisher. The first issue of the Advance appeared April 13, 1883. General Wool Post, No. 164, G.A.R., was mustered Aug. 2, 1883, with the following officers: Charles Reed, Com.; Orwell Ball, S.V.C.; M.T. Nethaway, J.V.C.; D.C. King, Q.M.; William Rockwell, Chap.; Sanford Reed, O.D.; Orrin I. Hill, O.G.; William H. Hicks, Surgeon; Clark Van Wie, Adj. The post numbers 24 members. The only church in Morley is that of the Methodist Episcpal denomination, organized in the fall of 1870. For some years, until able to build a church, the society held its services in the school-house. they have now a commodious church edifice, seating between 300 and 400, and which cost $1,500. Services are held at least once every Sunday, and twice every alternate Sunday. The present pastor is Rev. C.W. Smith, who commenced his duties in September 1883. The school building at Morley was erected in 1871-2, at a cost of $2,500. Additional sums have been spent on the building at different times--$1,000 in 1883. The Principal of the school is Frank O. Wickham, and he is assited by Miss Gertrude Grover. The Morley Academy is a private school taught by Clark Van Wie, and was opened in July, 1883. It has a model department for preparing teachers. The attendance varies from 30 to 40. The institution is supported by a stock compnay, which has raised $1,500. in shares of $25 each. A driving park has just been purchased west of the village, and a track laid out and graded. The park contains 20 acres. The President of the association is John Bell; Secretary, D.W. Stewart. Morley has been a severe sufferer from fire, on two occasions. The first was Oct. 6, 1876, when the National Hotel, the Central House, and the Commercial House, and all south of them to the river were burned. A woman and child, living near Rustford, were consumed in this blaze. The fire is supposed to have originated in a lamp explosion. Feb. 17, 1880, the business block from Second to Third streets was consumed. These two conflagrations swept away nearly the whole of the village, though, Phoenix-like, Morley is now more of a place than ever. The second fire is supposed to be due to incendiarism. Albert Fairchild was tried for the crime of arson, convicted, and sentenced to the State Penitentiary for life, but through a technical error obtained a second trial and was acquitted. Additional Comments: Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883. File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo40gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 8.1 Kb