|
The Big Prairie Post Office was the third of fourth post office established in Newaygo County, which every way you want to look at it. Newaygo and Stearn's Mill were both established in 1847, but Stearn's Mill name was change to Croton in 1850. Big Prairie Post Office was established on Feb. 4th, 1852. Ephraim H. Utley was the first Postmaster. When the post Office was first established it was located in Section # 7 of Big Prairie Township. On the 1873 map of Newaygo County this location is also called Utley's Corner. Aaron Swain became Postmaster in 1858, VanRenselaer P. French in 1861, James M. Gibbs in 1865, VanRenselaer P. French again in 1866, Samuel Howe in 1868, Wm J. Utley in 1872, Betsey Swain in 1876, John Swain in 1877 and George Demarest in 1877.
About this time the post office moved to section # 17 of Big Prairie Township and this settlement around the store and post office became known as Big Prairie. You can find this location on the 1880 and later maps of Newaygo County. Other Postmaster were as follow: Penbrook R French 1878, George Demarest in 1880, Burnham S. Runnells 1880, Jas G Demarest in 1882, Mrs. Bessie Hunt in 1883, Mrs. Bessie Hanson, in 1883, George Demarest 1886, Laura Runnels 1887 and Adela Forwood 1894. The office was discontinued Sept 30th., 1909. |