Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Manistee, MASON and Oceana counties, Michigan H. R. Page & Co., Chicago - 1882 -70- TOWNSHIP HISTORY PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP The township of Pere Marquette is one of the three original townships erected by the act of Legislature under which Mason County was organized. The township comprised Townships 17, north of Range 15 west; 18, north of Range 15 west; 17, north of Range 16 west; 18, north of Range 16 west; 17, north of Range 17 west; 18, north of Range 17 west; 17, north of Range 18 west; 18, north of Range 18 west, except that part of 18 north of Range 17 west and 18 north of Range 18 west in Little Sable. The first township meeting was held at the house of BURR CASWELL. The first supervisor was BURR CASWELL. The apportionment for this township of the first tax was $494.84. The history of this township is mostly told in connection with that of the county and of the city of Ludington. This, of all the townships in the county, is the one associated with so much of historic interest. It was in its soil that the grave of the great missionary was made. It was here the Indian village was located, and the braves of the older days were buried. It was here in a later day that the first white settler of the county located and planted the germs of a civilization that has been so fruitful of rich results. This township is still the home of HATFIELD, PHILLIPS and HOLMES, who came before Mason county had an existence. It has a considerable number of excellent farms and fruit orchards. Along what is known at the "Clay Banks" is a tract of clay soil and very productive. It was here that the first farms in the county were located. A well-known pioneer of Pere Marquette Township and of Mason County, who still lives upon a superb farm in this township is * [see Biographies page for the following] Richard Hatfield Alexander M. Agens F. S. Booth J. F. Phillips * --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -71- This township is bounded on the north by Lincoln and Amber; on the east by Lincoln, Amber and Riverton; on the south by Summit, and on the west by Lake Michigan. The Pere Marquette River runs north-westerly through the town- ship until it empties into the lake of the same name. Upon the north shore of this lake and in the northwest corner of the town- ship is the city of Ludington. There are two schoolhouses in the township outside the city of Ludington. It was just south of the lake in this township that the county seat was located until its removal to Lincoln. The population of the township in 1880 was 516, and the total vote 109. The present supervisor is J. P. SWANSON, and J. E. CAMPBELL is township clerk. ===========================================================================