1884 Portrait & Bio Album
| 1884 Portrait & Bio Album | |
| In 1869, on the 5th day of April, the people of Osceola Township assembled together for the purpose of electing their town officers. At that period, those who could cast the little ballot for those whom they wanted for their public servants, were not quite as numerous as they are now in this township; yet they felt the importance of this action as much as they do at the present day, if not greatly more. The result of this meeting was the election of the following officers: Samuel Fitzgerald, for Supervisor; Edwin Hulburt, for Clerk; James Wetson, for Treasurer. Justices of the Peace - Joseph Young, H. Underwood, Cyrus Moulton and Smith Hawkins; Joseph Staninger, David Shadley and R. h. Coon were chosen for Highway Commissioners; and A.J. Mapes, R.H. Coon, John Rickets and Joseph Staninger, for Constables. This meeting was held at the house of Isaiah Mauer. H. Underwood, David Shadley and Isaiah Mauer were the Inspectors of the Election, at which there were 34 votes cast. At this meeting, they also voted a bounty of $5 for old, and $2.50 for young wolves, brought in, dead or alive. This liberal action of the voters was afterwards declared illegal. Osceola is divided into five school districts with the location of school-houses as follows: District No. 1, on sections 16 and 21; No. 2, on section 26; No. 3 (which is the Evart graded school), on section 34; No. 4, on sections 13 and 14; No. 5, on sections 19,20, 30 and 29. In District No. 1 there are 66 pupils enrolled; No. 2, 41; No. 3, 434; No. 4, 37, and No. 5, 28. The shool building in District No. 1, cost $1,200, No 2, $450; No. 3, $6,000; No. 4, $100, and No. 5, $470. This township is numbered 18 north, of range 8 west, and is bounded on the north by Hartwick, on the east by Sylvan, on the south by Evart, and the west by Cedar Township.The Muskegon River runs across the southeast corner of the township. The Chippewa Creek, and several other streams heading in the northern part, course through the township and empty into the Muskegon. Like most of the other townships, the land is rolling, with a clay and sandy soil. For many years the lumber business was the principal industry. Its extensive forests of timber was a paradise to the lumbermen, who reaped fro them golden harvests. Lumber railroads were constructed in different parts of the township to facilitate transportation. Most of these tracts have been taken, and though the great bulk of the timber has been carried off, yet an extensive business is done in this line. About 3,000 acres of land is now under improvement, with about 100 farms. It stands the fifth in stock-raising, with a rapid increase in this department of industry. Among the earliest settlers were Isaiah Mauer, Samuel Fitzgerald, H. Underwood, David Shadley, James Wetson and Smith Hawkins. James a. Lunney & Co. have a lumber and shingle manufactory about four miles north of evart. Most of the timber now is brought to Evart, which is also their postoffice. The Evangelical Association has a church about three miles from evart, with 40 members. It is presided over by Rev. E. Weiss. A new church edifice was erected last year, and dedicated Nov. 9, 1884. Something more of the history of this township will be found in that of Evart village on preceding pages. It has been represent by the following named: SIPERVISORS. Samuel Fitzgerald 1869 E.H. Underwood 1870-1 E.J. Lemert 1872 E.O. Martin 1873 J.W. Mathews 1874-6 C.A. Waffle 1877-80 E.C. Cannon 1881-4 |