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County Evolution in Michigan 1790-1897

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State Board of Education

 Term Expires
Edwin L. Novak, O.D., President
  Flint
Jan. 1, 1973
Michael J. Deeb, Vice President
  Detroit
Jan. 1, 1977
Dr. Gorton Riethmiller, Secretary
  Chelsea
Jan. 1, 1975
Thomas J. Brennan, Treasurer
  Dearborn
Jan. 1, 1979
Marilyn Jean Kelly
  Detroit
Jan. 1, 1977
Annetta Miller
  Huntington Woods
Jan. 1, 1979
Dr. Charles E. Morton
  Detroit
Jan. 1, 1973
James F. O'Neil
  Livonia
Jan. 1, 1975
Dr. John W. Porter, Superintendent of Public Instruction,
  Chairman, Ex-Officio
 
William G. Milliken, Governor
  Member, Ex-Officio
 

County Evolution in Michigan 1790-1897

by
Richard M. Welch


Michigan Department of Educstion
State Library Services
Occasional Paper No. 2
Lansing, 1972

The Michigan Department of Education, State Library Services has published this monograph because of its importance and usefulness to Michigan historians, genealogists and teachers.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage
FOREWORD 
INTRODUCTION1
COUNTY EVOLUTION (ALPHABETICAL)4
COUNTY EVOLUTION (CHRONOLOGICAL) 
Indian Cessions16
Michigan Counties-
                                   179017
                                   180318
                                   1809-181520
                                   181821
                                   182222
                                   182823
                                   183024
                                   183225
                                   183626
                                   184027
                                   185228
                                   185629
                                   186030
                                   186431
                                   186732
                                   187233
                                   187634
                                   188535
                                   189536
                                   1897-present37
APPENDIX I (INDEX TO MICHIGAN COUNTIES)38
APPENDIX II (TOWNSHIP EVOLUTION IN SHIAWASSEE COUNTY)41
BIBLIOGRAPHY44

 

Richard W. Welch

Mr. Welch is a 1969 graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in geography and is presently a Master’s candidate in the Department of Geography at Michigan State University, majoring in historical geography.

 

He is the president of the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society, member of several other historical societies and is certified as a Genealogical Record Searcher by the Board for Certification of Genealogists, Washington, D.C.

 

FOREWORD

 

The purpose of this contribution to the study of Michigan history is to provide a simple, easy-to-read reference source dealing with the formation of counties in the state of Michigan for teachers, students, historians, geographers and genealogists. This publication of the State Library Services of the Michigan Department of Education provides both the scholar and the casual reader alike a unique source of information on the background history of Michigan counties. The only county formation source materials presently available to researchers are either the original laws, which are difficult and time-consuming to locate, or out-of-print publications which can be found in few areas of the state.

John W. Porter

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

 

1

INTRODUCTION

This work is concerned with the evolution of the eighty-three counties of Michigan; minor subdivisions within a county are dealt with only when they are of importance to the boundary of the county itself. The first part of this work consists of an alphabetical list of counties, with a chronological list of all the legislative enactments affecting the county as a whole. For those interested in further details concerning a particular county boundary change, or formation of a county, full reference is given to all legislative acts pertaining to each boundary change. The reference to the law follows the boundary change to which it refers and is given as follows:

 

Law or Public Act,

1887,

II:

102,

(the two terms are synonymous)

(year enacted)

(volume if more than one)

(page)

 

 

The second part of this work graphically presents, through a series of maps, the evolution of the counties. Territorial Michigan is represented in this series by an outline map of the Great Lakes. The State of Michigan (after 1837) is represented by maps with the outline of the present day counties superimposed upon them.

 

Appendix Two is a series of maps illustrating the evolution of townships within Shiawassee County, Michigan. This series of maps is included for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which townships evolved within a typical Michigan county.

 

A word of explanation should be given as to the steps followed and the terminology used in the organization of a county. The first step was the "setting off" of a certain area of land, usually sixteen congressional townships. This county was then given a name and "attached" to another county for judicial and/or taxation purposes; usually to the parent county. A county may, or may not, have had any permanent inhabitants at the time it was "set of” from the parent county. As settlers moved in, and a need was felt for a local county government, the residents of a "set off” county petitioned the state legislature for formal "organization" of the county. After a referendum was held, and a favorable vote received, the legislature then officially organized the county, giving it all the rights and responsibilities which were held by all previously established counties within the state.

 

The "set off" county had no official existence other than the fact that it had a name, was often shown on state maps, and contained a certain area of land which could not be incorporated into another county without a special act of the state legislature. The residents of the "set off" county were required to go to the county seat of the county to which they were attached for all matters of probate, land, taxation, marriage, and so on. Federal and state census enumerators usually included residents of a "set off” county in the returns for the county to which they were "attached." For various reasons, "set off" counties were often detached from one county and attached to another county. Land and census records may, then, suggest that a resided in several counties during a given period of years. The data in this study suggests an alternative answer; the person did not migrate, the counties did.

 

It is hoped that the material included here will be of benefit to historical geographers, historians, teachers and genealogists.

 

4

COUNTY EVOLUTION IN MICHIGAN, 1790-1597

 

AISHCUM      see Lake County.

 

ALCONA       Set off in 1840 as Negwegon. Laws, 1840: 198. Name changed to Alcona in 1843. M.H.C.1 I: 302. Attached to Cheboygan in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Alpena in 1857. Laws, 1857: 162. Attached to Iosco in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. Organized in 1869. Laws, 1869: 336.

 

ALGER          Detached from Schoolcraft and organized in 1885, 1885: Acts 1885: 17.

 

ALLEGAN     Set off in 1831. 1835: 58. Laws, 1831. Organized in 1835. Laws, 1835: 58.

 

ALPENA        Set off in 1840 as Anomickee. Laws, 1840: 199. Name changed to Alpena in 1843. M.H.C., I: 98. Attached to Cheboygan in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Organized in 1857. Laws, 1857: 162.

 

ANOMICKEE            see Alpena County.

 

ANTRIM        Set off in 1840 as Megisee. Laws, 1840: 198. Name changed to Antrim in 1843. M.H.C., I: 263. Attached to Grand Traverse in 1853. Laws, 1853: 43. Organized in 1863. Laws. 1863: 119. In 1865, sections 1, 2, 11, and 12, and the portion of section 13 located to the east of Round Lake (Lake Skogemog in T28N, R9Wwere detached from Grand Traverse County and attached to Antrim. Laws, 1865: 528. In 1881 a small portion of land west of Torch Lake and Torch River and north of Round Lake (Lake Skogemog) was detached from Kalkaska and attached to Antrim. Local Acts, 1881: 102.

 

ARENAC        Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 15. Attached to Saginaw in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. Attached to Midland in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. The county was removed in 1858 by the organization Bay County. M.H.C., I: 108. Detached from Bay County and reorganized in 1883. Laws, 1883: 25.

 

BARAGA       Set off and organized in 1875 with the Sturgeon River as the boundary with Houghton County. Laws, 1875: 13. In 1885 the boundary line between Houghton and Baraga was defined as at present. Acts, 1885: 11.

 

1 “Reports of Counties, Towns, and Districts,” Pioneer Collections. Report of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan will be given in the text under the shortened title, M.H.C. (Michigan Historical Collections).

 

5

BARRY          Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 735. Attached to St. Joseph County in 1829. Terr. Laws, 787. Attached to Kalamazoo County in 1830. Laws, 1830: 32. Organized in 1839. Laws, 1839: 17.

 

BAY    Set off in 1857. The act was to be submitted to the people of Saginaw, Midland, and Arenac Counties on the first Monday of April, 1857. Laws, 1857: 438. The vote resulted in a legal battle which ended in the favor of Bay County. The county was organized in 1858. M.H.C., I: 108. In 1871 there was a slight readjustment of the boundary between Bay and Saginaw Counties. Laws, 1871: 194. Charity Islands were attached to Bay County from Huron County in 1879. Laws, 1879: 287. There was another readjustment of the boundary between Bay and Saginaw Counties in 1881. Laws, 1881: 343. Certain townships were detached in 1883 to form Arenac County, which see.

BENZIE          Set off in 1863 to contain all the townships of Leelanau County which lie south of the south line of T28N. Attached to Grand Traverse County by the same law. Laws, 1863: 58. Organized in 1869. Laws, 1869, III: 1083.

 

BERRIEN       Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 737. Attached to Cass County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 786. Organized in 1831. Laws, 1831: 902.

 

BLEEKER      see Menominee County.

 

BRANCH       Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 736. Attached to St. Joseph County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 745. Organized in 1833. M.H.C., I: 127 and Terr. Laws, III: 977.

 

BROWN         Set off in 1818 by proclamation of Governor Lewis Cass to lie south and west of Michilimackinac County, extending south to Illinois. Terr. Laws, I: 327. The boundaries were changed in 1834. The county was to lie west of a line drawn due north from the center of Lake Michigan and south of the line between T11N and T12N, Green Bay base line. Terr. Laws, III: 1325.

 

CALHOUN     Set off in 1829. Terr Laws, II: 736. Attached to St. Joseph County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 745. Attached to Kalamazoo County in 1830. Laws, 1830: 32. Organized in 1833. M.H.C., I: 128.

 

CASS  Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 736. Organized in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 744. In 1831 that part of Cass County lying east of the St. Joseph River (in the southeast corner of T8S, R13W) was attached to St. Joseph County. Laws, 1831: 39.

 

6

CHARLEVOIX          Set off in 1840 as Keskkauko.2 Laws, 1840: 109. Name changed in 1843 to Charlevoix. M.H.C., I: 213. Attached to Emmet County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 15. Organized in 1869 to contain T32N, R4-7W; T33N, R4-9W; the south halves of T34N, R4-6W; and T34N, R7-8W. Laws, 1869, III: 1091. In 1895 the townships of Bear Creek and Resort and that portion of Springvale Township lying in T34N, R4W were detached from Charlevoix County and attached to Emmet County. The remaining portion of Springvale Township in T33N, R4W was attached to Chandler Township, Charlevoix County. Local Acts, 1895: 484.

 

CHEBOYGAN           Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 199. Organized in 1853 with Wyandot County to form one county. Laws, 1853: 19.

 

CHEONQUET            see Montmorency County.

 

CHIPPEWA    Set off in 1826 to extend to the Mississippi River. Terr. Laws, II: 295. The county was organized by this same act, to take effect in 1827. Chippewa County was reduced in size in 1843. Laws, 1843: 201.

 

CLARE           Set off in 1840 as Kaykakee County. Laws, 1840: 197. Attached to Saginaw County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. Name changed to Clare in 1843. M.H.C., I: 213. Attached to Midland County in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. In 1869 eight townships from the western portion of the county (T17-20N, R5-6W) were attached to Mecosta County. Laws, 1869, II: 621. Organized in 1871. Laws, 1871, III: 59.

 

CLINTON       Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 13. Attached ti Shiawassee County in 1837. Laws, 1837: 106. Organized in 1839. Laws, 1839: 15. The townships of North Shade, Fulton, and Washington (T9N, R2-4W) were attached to Clinton County from Gratiot County in 1845. Laws, 1845: 53. In 1847 three additional townships were attached from Gratiot (Elba, Hamilton, and Newark Townships; T9-10N, R1W and T10N, R3W). Laws, 1847: 56. The six townships were returned to Gratiot County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 12.

 

CRAWFORD  Set off in 1840 as Shawono County. Laws, 1840: 198. Name changed to Crawford in 1843. M.H.C., I: 94. Attached to Cheboygan County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Iosco County in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. Attached to Antrim County in 1863. Laws, 1863: 119. Organized in 1879. Laws, 1879: 8.

 

2 A conflict exists as to the exact name of Charlevoix County as originally set off. It is given in the state law of 1840 as Keskkauko, but several other state documents, and Michigan Historical Collections, give the name as Reshkanko. Keskkauko appears to be the correct version.

 

7

DELTA            Set off in 1843 to include what are now Menominee and the southern parts of Dickinson and Delta Counties. Laws, 1843: 202. Organized in 1861. Laws, 1861: 174 and 409. Big Summer, St. Martin's, Gull, and Poverty Islands were attached to Delta County in 1871. Laws, 1871, III: 219.

 

DICKINSON Set off and organized in 1891. Public Acts, 1891: 98.

 

EATON           Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 735. Attached to St. Joseph County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 745. Attached to Kalamazoo County in 1830. Laws, 1830: 32. Organized in 1837. Laws, 1837: 9.

 

EMMET         Set off as Tonedagana County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 199. Name changed to Emmet in 1843. M.H.C., I: 322. Organized in 1853 together with T37-39N, R4W from Cheboygan County. Laws, 1853: 15. Portions of three townships were attached to Emmet from Charlevoix County in 1895. Local Acts, 1895: 484.

 

GENESEE      Set off in 1835 and attached to Oakland County. Terr. Laws, III: 1416. Organized in 1836. Acts, 1835: 66. In 1843,T6-9N, R8E from Lapeer County were attached to Genesee County. Laws, 1843: 189.

 

GLADWIN     Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 14. Attached to Saginaw County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. Attached to Midland County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 231. Organized in 1875. Laws, 1875: 107.

 

GRATIOT       Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 14. Attached to Saginaw County in 1836. Laws, 1836: 67. Six townships were detached from Gratiot and attached to Clinton County (which see) in 1845 and 1847. Laws, 1845: 53 and Laws, 1847: 56. Organized in 1855 with the townships which had been attached to Clinton. Laws, 1855: 12.

 

GOGEBIC      Organized in 1887 from Ontonagon County. Local Acts, 1887: 23.

 

GRAND TRAVERSE Set off in 1840 as Omeena County. Laws, 1840: 198. In 1851 all of Omeena County, except T28N, R9-10N, was organized into the county of Grand Traverse. Laws, 1851: 172. In 1853 the remainder of Omeena was annexed by Grand Traverse County. Laws, 1853: 43.

 

HILLSDALE  Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 736. Attached to Lenawee County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 745. Organized in 1835. Terr. Laws, III: 1362.

 

HOUGHTON  Set off in 1843 and boundary described in 1845. Laws, 1845: 58. Organized in 1846. Laws, 1846: 286. Reorganized in 1848. Laws, 1848: 345. In 1853 the townships lying west of the line between R35W and R36W were annexed to Ontonagon County. In 1861 the boundary between Houghton and Marquette was re-adjusted. Laws, 1861: 173. In 1885 the boundary between Baraga and Houghton was defined. Acts, 1885: 11.

 

8

HURON          Set off in 1840 and attached to Sagniaw County. Laws, 1840: 200. Attached to St. Clair County in 1844. Laws, 1844:112. In 1850 attached to Sanilac County. Laws 1850: 215, In 1853 certain townships from western portion of county were temporarily attached to Tuscola County. Laws, 1853: 113. Organized in 1859. Laws, 1859: 4. In 1879 Charity Islands were detached from Huron County and attached to Bay County. Laws, 1879: 287.

 

INGHAM        Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 735. Attached to Washtenaw County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 787. Organized in 1838. Laws, 1838: 221.

 

IONIA Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 13. Attached to Kent County in 1835. Laws, 1835: 65. Organized in 1837. Laws, 1837: 97. In 1843 Towns 9 & 10 North, R6W were attached to Lyons Township, Ionia County. Laws, 1843: 200. These are now the townships of Evergreen and Bushnell, Montcalm County. Montcalm County was detached from Ionia County, and organized, in 1850. Laws, 1850: 144.

 

IOSCO            Set off in 1840 as Kanotin County. Laws, 1840: 197. The name was changed to Iosco in 1843. M.H.C., I: 94. In 1853 was attached to Cheboygan County, and later in the same legislative session, was attached to Saginaw County. Laws, 1853: 19 and Laws, 1853: 45. Organized in 1857. Laws, 1857: 358. In 1867 the unorganized county of Ogemaw was attached to Iosco. Laws, 1867, II: 222. Ogemaw County was detached in 1875. Laws, 1875: 654.

 

IRON  Set off and organized from Marquette and a portion of Menominee in 1885. Public Acts, 1885: 32. In 1891, Towns 45 and 46 North, Range 31-34 West were annexed from Marquette County. Public Acts, 1891: 106. The same year Towns 42-46 North, Range 28-30 West were detached from iron County and attached to the newly organized Dickinson County. Laws, 1891: 98.

 

ISABELLA     Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 15. Attached to Saginaw County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. Attachment reaffirmed in 1853. Laws, 1853: 44. Attached to Midland County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 231. Organized in 1859. Laws, 1859: 318.

 

ISLE ROYAL Set off and organized from Keweenaw County in 1875. Laws, 1775: 18. Isle Royal County was disorganized and reattached to Keweenaw County in 1897. Public Acts, 1897.

 

JACKSON      Set off in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 735. Attached to Washtenaw County the same year. Terr. Laws, II 787. Organized in 1832. Acts of Legislative Council, 1832: 27 and Terr. Laws, III: 836.

 

9

KALKASKA  Set off in 1840 as Wabassee County. Laws, 1840: 198. Name was changed to Kalkaska in 1843. M.H.C., I: 324. In 1853 was attached to Grand Traverse County. Laws, 1853: 43. In 1863 was attached to Antrim County. Laws, 1863: 119. Organized in 1871. Laws, 1871, III: 8. In 1881 that part of T28N, R8W lying west of Torch Lake and Torch River, and north of Round Lake (Lake Skogemog) was detached from Kalkaska County and attached to Antrim County. Local Acts, 1881: 102.

 

KANOTIN      see Iosco County.

 

KAUTAWABET         see Wexford County.

 

KAYKAKEE  see Clare County.

 

KENT Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 13. Organized in 1836. Laws, 1836: 65. In 1840 Towns 9 and 10 North, Range 9-12 West (the northern two tiers of townships in present Kent County) were attached to Kent County from Michilimackinac County. Laws, 1840: 196.

 

KESKKAUKO           see Charlevoix County.

 

KEWEENAW Set off and organized from Houghton County in 1861. Laws, 1861: 156. A mistake in the description of the county was made by the legislature in the preceeding law which was corrected in 1862. Laws, 1862: 3. Isle Royal was detached in 1875, re-attached in 1897. Laws, 1875: 18 and Public Acts, 1897: 75.

 

KNOX Set off by proclamation of Winthrop Sargent, secretary to Governor St. Clair, in 1790. St. Clair Papers, II: 166.

 

LAKE Set off in 1840 as Aishcum County. Laws, 1840: 196. Attached to Ottawa County the same year. Laws, 1840: 200. Name changed to Lake County in 1843. M.H.C., I: 94. Attached to Oceana County in 1851. Laws, 1851: 150. Attached to Mason County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 424. Attached to Newaygo County in 1857. Laws, 1857: 463. In 1867 Towns 17-20 North, Range 11 West were attached to Mecosta County. Laws, 1867, II: 925. In 1869 T17-20N, R11-12W were attached to Osceola County. Laws, 1869, II: 605. Organized in 1871 as originally set off. Laws, 1871, III: 714.

 

LAPEER         Set off in 1822. Terr. Laws, I: 333. Attached to Oakland County by this same law. Organized in 1833. Laws, Extra Session, 1834-5: 54. In 1836 the townships lying north of Lapeer County to Lake Huron were attached. Laws, 1836: 67. In 1845 a small piece of territory was given to Tuscola County. Laws, 1845: 49. In 1855 other territory was given to Tuscola County. Laws, 1855: 313.

 

10

LEELANAU   Set off in 1840 (to include the Manitou Islands) and attached to Michilimackinac County. Laws, 1840: 198. In 1853 was attached to Grand Traverse County. Laws, 1853: 43. Organized in 1863 to include all that part of Leelanau County which lay north of the south line of T28N. The townships of Leelanau County which lay south of this line were set off as Benzie County, which see. Laws, 1863: 56.

 

LENAWEE     Set off in 1822 and attached to Monroe County. Terr. Laws, I: 335. Organized in 1826 and all territory to the west to which Indian title had been extinguished by the Treaty of Chicago was attached. Revised Laws, 1827: 591. In 1829 the territory gained by the Treaty of Carey Mission was attached. Terr. Laws, II: 709.

 

LIVINGSTON            Set off in 1833, but was to remain for the time being a part of Shiawassee and Washtenaw Counties. Terr. Laws, III: 993. Organized in 1836. Laws, 1835: 65.

 

LUCE  Set off from Machinac and Chippewa Counties in 1887 and organized. Laws, 1887: 84.

 

MACKINAC  Laid out in 1818 as Michilimackinac, by proclamation of Governor Lewis Cass. Terr. Laws, I: 325. An 1840 law created a large number of counties in lower Michigan and only those townships north of T20N remained attached to Michilimackinac County. Laws, 1840: 200. Mackinac County was confined to the Upper Peninsula in 1843. Laws, 1843: 201. In 1887 the northern tier of townships were detached when Luce County was created. Laws, 1887: 84.

 

MACOMB      Set off and organized in 1818. Terr. Laws, II: 796. In 1822 the boundaries were restated by Governor Lewis Cass. Terr. Laws, I: 332. In 1832 T5N, R14E and the east one-half , of T5N, R13E were attached to Macomb County. Terr. Laws, III: 926.

 

MANISTEE    Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 197. Attached to the county of Michilimackinac until 1846 when it was attached to Ottawa County. Laws, 1846: 31. Attached to Oceana County in 1851. Laws, 1851: 150. Attached to Grand Traverse County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 43. Organized in 1855. Laws, 1855: 423. Cleon Township attached to Wexford County in 1873. Laws, 1873, III: 80. Cleon Township was reattached to Manistee County in 1881. Local Acts, 1881: 120.

 

MANITOU     Set off and organized from Emmet County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 197. The organization law was repealed in 1895 and Manitou County was divided between Leelanau and Charlevoix Counties. Local Acts, 1895: 132.

 

11

MARQUETTE           Set off and attached to Chippewa County in 1843. Laws, 1843: 202. In 1845 the north line of the county was brought down to the north line of T49N. Laws, 1845: 58. Attached to Houghton County in 1846. Laws, 1846: 286. Organized with Schoolcraft and Ontonagon Counties into one judicial district and attached to Houghton County in 1848. Laws, 1848: 345. Organized in 1851 to include "all that portion of the state . . . between ranges twenty-three and twenty-four west, the north boundary of township forty-one, the line between ranges thirty-seven and thirty-eight west, and the north boundary of township forty-nine." Laws, 1851: 142. In 1861 the townships between the city of Marquette and Lake Superior on the north were attached to Marquette County from Houghton County. Laws, 1861: 556. In 1873 Town 41 north, Range 32 west was attached to Marquette County. Laws, 1873, III: 75. In 1875 Towns 44-47 north, Range 23 west, on the east side of the county, were attached. Local Acts, 1875: 233. In 1891 certain townships were given to Iron County, which see. Laws, 1891: 106.

 

MASON         Set off in 1840 as Notipekago County and attached to Ottawa County. Laws, 1840: 196 & 200. Name changed to Mason in 1843. M.H.C., I: 303. Attached to Oceana County in 1851. Laws, 1851: 150. Organized in 1855. Laws, 1855: 423.

 

MECOSTA     Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 196. Attached to Kent. Laws, 1840: 200. In 1857 was attached to Newaygo County. Laws, 1857: 468. The township of Pierson, containing four congressional townships, was attached to Montcalm County from Mecosta in 1857. Laws, 1857: 468. Organized in 1859. Laws, 1859: 257. The township of Pierson was permanently attached to Montcalm County in 1859. Laws, 1859: 261.

 

MEGISEE       see Antrim County.

 

MENOMINEE           Set off in 1861 as Bleeker County. Laws, 1861: 448. Organized in 1863 as Menominee County. Laws, 1863: 297. In 1873 fractional T41N, R31W was attached. Laws, 1873, III: 85. In 1875 fractional T41N. R33W was attached. Local Acts, 1875: 21. In 1877 the boundaries of the county were redefined. Acts, 1877: 59. In 1885 T41N, R31-33W were given to Iron County. Public Acts, 1885: 32. In 1891 certain townships were detached from Menominee County to form Dickinson County. Public Acts, 1891: 98.

 

MIDLAND     Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 14. Attached to Saginaw County in 1836. Laws, 1836: 67, and Laws 1840: 200. A law was passed for organization of the county in 1850 (Laws, 1850: 182), but nothing was done toward organization until 1855 when another law was passed providing for the first election. Laws, 1855: 48. In 1873 a law was passed which corrected an error in the description of the county boundaries which had been made in the 1831 law. Acts, 1873, III: 85.

 

12

MIKENAUK  see Roscommon County.

 

MISSAUKEE Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 197. In 1853 was attached to Grand Travers County. Laws, 1853: 43. Attached to Wexford County in 1869. Acts, 1871, III: 44.

 

MONROE       Set off in 1817 by proclamation of Governor Lewis Cass. Terr. Laws, I: 331.  All the territory to which Indian title had been extinguished was attached to Monroe County in 1822. Terr. Laws, I: 335.

 

MONTCALM            Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 14. Attached to Ionia County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200 and Laws, 1845: 51. Organized in 1850. Laws, 1850: 114. In 1859 the township of Pierson, containing four congressional townships, was annexed from Mecosta County. Laws, 1859: 261.

 

MONTMORENCY    Set off in 1840 as Cheonoquet County. Laws, 1840: 199. Name changed to Montmorency in 1843. M.H.C., I: 94. Attached to Cheboygan County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Alpena County in 1857. Laws, 1857: 162. Organized in 1881 along with the townships of Montmorency, Rust, and Briley. Public Acts, 1881: 160.

 

MUSKEGON Set off and organized in 1859. Acts, 1859: 94.

 

NEGWEGON see Alcona County.

 

NEWAYGO       Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 196. Attached to Kent County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. Township 11 north, Range 14 west (Bridgeton Township) was attached to Ottawa County in 1845. Laws, 1845: 31. Newaygo County was attached to Oceana County in 1851. Laws, 1851: 150. No mention is made in this law (1851) as to the status of Bridgeton Township. Newaygo County was organized in 1851 with its present boundaries. Laws, 1851: 305.

 

NOTIPEKAGO          see Mason County.

 

OAKLAND    Set off by a proclamation of Governor Lewis Cass in 1819. Terr. Laws, II: 798. All the territory gained under the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819 was attached to Oakland County in 1822. Terr. Laws, II: 802. Organized in 1821. Terr. Laws, I: 332.

 

OCEANA       Set off in 1831 in territory now included in Kent, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Muskegon Counties, consisting of Townships 9-12 north, Ranges 9-12 west and T11-12W, R13W., entirely different from its present location. Laws, 1831: 14. Set off in 1840 in its present location. Laws, 1840: 196. Attached to Ottawa in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. Organized in 1851 (Laws, 1851: 150) and re-organized in 1855 when Manistee and Mason Counties were organized. Laws, 1855:423.

 

13

OGEMAW      Set off in 1840 as Townships 21-24 north, Ranges 1-4 west. Laws, 1840: 197. Attached to Cheboygan County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Iosco County in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16 and Laws, 1861: 121. Incorporated into Iosco County in 1867 and Ogemaw County ceased to exist. Laws, 1867: 222. The location of the county was correctly stated in 1873 as Ranges 1-4 east, it was set off, and attached to Iosco County. Laws, 1873, III: 85. Organized in 1875. Laws, 1875: 129.

 

OKKUDDO    see Otsego County.

 

ONTONAGON           Set off in 1843 and attached to Chippewa. Laws, 1843: 202. The boundary was restated in 1845 omitting Isle Royale. Laws, 1845: 58. Attached to Houghton County in 1846. Laws, 1846: 286. Organized in 1848. Laws, 1848: 345. The western two tiers of townships of Houghton County were attached to Ontonagon County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 3.

 

OSCEOLA      Set off in 1840 as Unwattin County and attached to Ottawa County. Laws, 1840: 197 & 200. Name changed to Osceola County in 1843. M.H.C., I: 324. Attached to Mason County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 423. Attached to Newaygo County in 1857. Laws, 1857: 463. Attached to Mecosta County in 1859. Laws, 1859: 257. Organized in 1869. Laws, 1869, II: 487. (see also Lake County.)

 

OSCODA        Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 198. Attached to Cheboygan County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Alpena County in 1857. Laws, 1857: 162. Attached to Iosco County in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. Attached to Alcona County "from Alpena County" in 1869. Laws, 1869, II: 336. Detached from Alcona and organized in 1881. Acts, 1881: 16.

 

OTSEGO        Set off in 1840 as Okkuddo County. Laws, 1840: 198. Name changed to Otsego County in 1843. M.H.C., I: 94. Attached to Cheboygan in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Alpena in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. Attached to Antrim County in 1863. Laws, 1863: 119. Organized in 1875 with Townships 29-31 north, Ranges 1-4 west and Township 32 north, Ranges 1-3 west. Township 32 north, Range 4 west remained in Charlevoix County to which it was attached in 1869. Laws, 1875: 28.

 

OTTAWA        Set off in 1831. Laws, 1831: 13. Attached to Kent County in 1835. Laws, 1835: 65. Organized in 1837. Laws, 1837: 8. Township 11 north, Range 14 west (Bridgeton Township, Newaygo County) was attached in 1845 (Laws, 1845: 31) and detached in 1851 when Newaygo County was organized.

 

PRESQUE ISLE        Set off in 1840. Laws, 1840: 199. Attached to Cheboygan in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. In 1857 the territory lying east of R4E was attached to Alpena County. Laws, 1857: 162. Attached to Alpena in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16. Organized in 1871. Laws, 1871, III: 129. T37N, R2E attached to Presque Isle from Cheboygan in 1873. Laws, 1873, III: 85. Re-organized in 1875. Laws, 1875: 118.

 

14

ROSCOMMON          Set off in 1840 as Mikenauk County. Laws, 1840: 199.  Name was changed to Roscommon in 1843. M.H.C., I: 94. Attached to Cheboygan County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 19. Attached to Midland County in 1858. Laws, 1858: 16 and Laws, 1873, III: 85. Organized in 1875. Laws, 1875: 34.

 

SAGINAW      Set off in 1822 by a proclamation of Governor Lewis Cass and attached to Oakland County. Terr. Laws, I: 334. Boundaries stated in 1831. Laws, 1831: 14. Organized in 1835. Acts, Extra Session, 1834-35: 78. The boundary between Saginaw and Bay Counties was adjusted in 1875 and 1881. See Bay County.

 

SANILAC       Set off in 1822 by a proclamation of Governor Lewis Cass and attached to Oakland County. Terr. Laws, I: 333. Attached to St. Clair County in 1827. Revised Laws, 1827: 593. Attached to Lapeer County in 1836. Laws, 1836: 67. Attached to St. Clair in 1840. Laws, 1840: 112. Organized in 1848 with Townships 9 and 10 north, Ranges 13-17 east from St. Clair County attached. Laws, 1848: 344.

 

SCHOOLCRAFT       Set off in 1843. Laws, 1843: 202. Attached to Chippewa County by this same act. Attached to Houghton County in 1846. Laws, 1846: 286. The boundaries were stated in 1848. Laws, 1848: 346. Attached to Marquette County in 1851. Laws, 1851: 142. In 1862 Townships 39-41 north, Range 16 west and Township 41 north, Ranges 13-15 west were attached. Laws, 1862: 53. Organized in 1871. Laws, 1871, III: 99. The row of townships on the west (T44-47N, R23W) were given to Marquette County. Local Acts, 1875: 233.

 

SHIAWASSEE           Set off in 1822. Terr. Laws, I: 334. Attached to Oakland County by the same act. Attached to Genesee County in 1836. Acts, 1836: 66. Organized in 1837 with Clinton County attached. Laws, 1837: 106. Clinton County was detached in 1839.

 

ST. CLAIR      Set off in 1820. Terr. Laws, II: 800. Organized in 1821. Terr. Laws, 1820: 446. Boundaries restated in 1822. Terr Laws, I: 332.

 

ST. JOSEPH   Set off and organized in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 736 & 744.

 

TONEDAGANA        see Emmet County.

 

TUSCOLA      Set off and attached to Saginaw County in 1840. Laws, 1840: 200. In 1845 certain sections in the northern part of Lapeer County were attached to Tuscola. Laws, 1845: 49. Organized in 1850. Laws, 1850: 45. In 1855 the boundary between Tuscola and Lapeer was re-defined. Laws, 1855: 313.

 

UNWATTIN   see Osceola County.

 

VAN BUREN Set off and attached to Cass County in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 736 & 744. Re-attached to Cass County in 1834. Laws, 1834: 169. Organized in 1837. Laws, 1837: 97.

 

15

WABASSEE   see Kalkaska County.

 

WASHINGTON         Organized February 15, 1867 with the city of Negaunee as the county seat. Laws, 1867: 39. A lawsuit followed in which the court found in favor of the plaintiff, nullifying the act of organization. The County of Washington existed for only a short period of time and was never truly "organized". See map on page 32 for location of Washington County.

 

WASHTENAW          Set off and attached to Wayne County in 1822. Terr. Laws, I: 334. Organized in 1826. Revised Laws, 1827: 591. Boundaries defined in 1829. Terr. Laws, II: 735.

 

WAYNE          Set off in 1796. Revised Statutes of Ohio, 1890, II: 2036. Set off in 1803 by proclamation of Governor William Henry Harrison. Executive Journals of Indiana, III: 114. Re-established in 1822 by Governor Lewis Cass. Terr. Laws, I: 331.

 

WEXFORD    Set off in 1840 as Kautawabet County. Laws, 1840: 197. Name changed to Wexford in 1843. M.H.C., I: 212. Attached to Grand Traverse County in 1853. Laws, 1853: 43. Attached to Manistee County in 1855. Laws, 1855: 423. Organized in 1869. Laws, 1869, III: 1085. The township of Cleon (T24N, R13W) was attached to Wexford County from Manistee County in 1873. Laws, 1873, III: 80 and Local Acts, 1875: 726. Cleon Township was re-attached to Manistee County in 1881. Local Acts, 1881: 120.

 

WYANDOT    Set off in 1840 containing Townships 33-36 north, Ranges 1-3 west and Range 1 east. Laws, 1840: 199. In 1853 it was organized as a part of Cheboygan County. Laws, 1853: 19. Wyandot County was located in what is now the southern two-thirds of Cheboygan County.

 

16

Indian Cessions

 

17

Michigan Counties 1790

The area to the east of Knox County was still under the military control of the British at this time.

 

18

Michigan Counties 1803

Wayne County as set off by Governor William Henry Harrison in 1803. The Territory of Michigan came into existence in 1805.

 

19

When William Hull became governor of Michigan Territory in 1805 he rearranged the territory into districts of his own choosing and Wayne County ceased to exist. When Lewis Cass became governor in 1815, he re-established the County of Wayne to include all the area to which Indian title had been extinguished.

 

In 1809, Illinois Territory was set off from Indiana and in 1818 Michigan Territory was expanded to include what are now Wisconsin and Minnesota. Michigan Territory was again enlarged in 1834 when Iowa was attached. In 1836 Michigan was confined to its present area and the remaining part of the territory became Wisconsin Territory.

 

20

Michigan Counties 1809-1815

 

21

Michigan Counties 1818

Brown County, as set off and organized, was to lie to the south of the headwaters of the rivers that flow into Lake Superior.

 

22

Michigan Counties 1822

Oakland County was set off in 1819 to include the region acquired under the treaty of Saginaw (Terr. Laws, II: 802). The county was organized in 1821. In 1822 the territory gained under the treaty of Chicago in 1821 was attached to Monroe County. (Terr. Laws, I: 335).

 

23

Michigan Counties 1828

Lenawee County was organized in 1826 and the lands gained under the treaty of Chicago were attached. (Revised Laws, 1827: 591). In 1829 the territory gained under the treaty of Carey Mission was attached. (Terr. Laws, II: 709)

 

24

Michigan Counties 1830

 

25

Michigan Counties 1832

 

26

Michigan Counties 1836

 

27

Michigan Counties 1840

Huron County was attached to Saginaw County for judicial purposes, to St. Clair County for taxation purposes. (Laws, 1840: 112 & 200). Gratiot, Midland, Tuscola, Isabella, Gladwin, Arenac, and Kaykakee (Clare) were attached to Saginaw County for judicial purposes. (Laws, 1840: 200).

 

28

Michigan Counties 1852

 

29

Michigan Counties 1856

 

30

Michigan Counties 1860

 

31

Michigan Counties 1864

 

32

Michigan Counties 1867

 

33

Michigan Counties 1872

 

34

Michigan Counties 1876

 

35

Michigan Counties 1885

 

36

Michigan Counties 1895

 

37

Michigan Counties 1897-present

 

38

Appendix I

Michigan Counties Index

 

 

39

Michigan Counties Index

Name

County Seat

Map Coordinates

Alcoa

Harrisville

C5

Alger

Munising

B3

Allegan

Allegan

E3

Alpena

Alpena

C5

Antrim

Bellaire

C4

Arenac

Standish

D4

Baraga

L'Anse

B2

Barry

Hastings

E4

Bay

Bay City

D4

Benzie

Beulah

C3

Berrien

St. Joseph

E3

Branch

Coldwater

E4

Calhoun

Marshall

E4

Cass

Cassopolis

E3

Charlevoix

Charlevoix

C4

Cheboygan

Cheboygan

C4

Chippewa

Sault Saint Marie

B4

Clare

Harrison

D4

Clinton

St. Johns

D4

Crawford

Grayling

C4

Delta

Escanaba

B3

Dickinson

Iron Mountain

B3

Eaton

Charlotte

E4

Emmet

Petosky

C4

Genesee

Flint

D5

Gladwin

Gladwin

D4

Gogebic

Bessemer

B1

Grand Traverse

Traverse City

C3

Gratiot

Ithaca

D4

Hillsdale

Hillsdale

E4

Houghton

Houghton

B2

Huron

Bad Axe

D5

Ingham

Mason

E4

Ionia

Ionia

D4

Iosco

Tawas City

C5

Iron

Crystal Falls

B2

Isabella

Mount Pleasant

D4

Isle Royal

disorganized in 1897

 

Jackson

Jackson

E4

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo

E4

Kalkaska

Kalkaska

C4

Kent

Grand Rapids

D4

Keweenaw

Eagle River

A2

Lake

Baldwin

D3

Lapeer

Lapeer

D5

Leelanau

Leland

C3

Lenawee

Adrian

E4

Livingston

Howell

E4

Luce

Newberry

B3

Mackinac

St. Ignace

B4

Macomb

Mount Clemens

E5

Manistee

Manistee

C3

Manitou

disorganized in 1895

 

Marquette

Marquette

B2

Mason

Ludington

D3

Mecosta

Big Rapids

D4

Menominee

Menominee

C2

Midland

Midland

D4

Missaukee

Lake City

C4

Monroe

Monroe

E5

Montcalm

Stanton

D4

Montmorency

Atlanta

C4

Muskegon

Muskegon

D3

Newaygo

White Cloud

D3

Oakland

Pontiac

E5

Oceana

Hart

D3

Ogemaw

West Branch

C4

Ontonagon

Ontonagon

B1

Osceola

Reed City

D4

Oscoda

Mio

C4

Otsego

Gaylord

C4

Ottawa

Grand Haven

D3

Presque Isle

Rogers City

C4

Roscommon

Roscommon

C4

Saginaw

Saginaw

D4

St. Clair

Port Huron

D5

St. Joseph

Centreville

E4

Sanilac

Sandusky

D5

Schoolcraft

Manistique

B3

Shiawassee

Corunna

D4

Tuscola

Caro

D5

Van Buren

Paw Paw

E3

Washtenaw

Ann Arbor

E4

Wayne

Detroit

E5

Wexford

Cadillac

C3

 

41

Appendix II

Township Evolution in Shiawassee County

 

1

13 March 1837 - 6 March 1838

2

6 March 1838 - 2 April 1838

3

2 April 1838 - 21 March 1839

SCALE 1:250,000. Maps drawn for Geography 426, Michigan State University - May 1970, Richard W. Welch.

4

21 March 1839 - 22 March 1839

42

5

22 March 1839 - 15 March 1841

6

15 March 1841 - 20 March 1841

7

20 March 1841 - 16 February 1842

8

16 February 1842 - 9 March 1843

43

9

9 March 1843 - 28 March 1850

10

28 March 1850 - 31 March 1850

11

31 March 1850 - 4 January 1854

12

4 January 1854 - Present

 

44

Bibliography

Hathaway, William H. "County Organization in Michigan." Michigan History, II (1918), 573-629.

Wiskemann, Geneva Kebler, "Laws Pertaining to the Organization of Counties in Michigan." Unpublished manuscript, Michigan Historical Commission Archives, n.d.

"Reports of Counties, Towns, and Districts." Pioneer Collections. Report of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan, I (1877), 94-518.

"Proclamations of Governor Harrison." Indiana Historical Society Publications, III, 114.

Michigan. Territorial Laws (1805-1837).

Michigan. Public Acts (1837-1897).

* * * * *

Readers interested in the history behind the names of the eighty-three counties in Michigan are referred to the useful and concise Michigan Department of State pamphlet, "History of Michigan Counties," 1972. It is available through most Secretary of State branch offices and in many public libraries throughout the state.

* * * * *

 

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