Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, 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. =========================================================================== SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album of Newaygo County, Mich. Chapman Brothers: 1884 BIG PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP Big Prairie Township is one of the two town- ships organized at the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Newaygo County, March 20, 1852, and was made to include townships 13, 14,15 and 16 north, ranges 11 and 12 west. It has been cut down to form new townships, until it now contains only township 13 north, 11 west. It was one of the first in the county to be set- tled, on account of the prairie from which it derives its name. The Muskegon River winds in a tortuous course through the township, crossing sections 1,11,13,24,23,14,15,21,22,27,28 and 32. The first settler of the township was John McBride, who located some year previous to 1849, when he sold his claim to Ephraim H. Utley. Other early settlers, who came not far from 1850, were Alexander Dalziel, Solomon Godfrey, James Barton, William Barton, Benj. F. Olney, Walter Bonney, Emerson Bonney, Aaron Swain, James M. Gibbs, Egbert Goodrich, "Capt." Smith, William Millard, Samuel Conkwright and Theodore Taylor. The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1852, and John Betts was chosen the first Supervisor. This office has been filled continuously for the last 31 years by Hon. James Barton. At the last election, held April 2, 1883, the following officers were elected: James Barton, Supervisor; William S. Utley, Clerk; J. Elmer French, Treasurer; Wm. Dunham, Highway Commissioner; Nelson P. Cook, Drain Commissioner; John E. Webster, School Inspector; Lewis Mayer, Justice of the Peace; Morris E. Slade, Hiram B. Height, Charles E. Lafferty and Joseph Franklin, Constables. The population of Big Prairie in 1880 was 572. There are now five school districts in Big Prairie Township. For the year ending Sept. 3, 1883, the number of children between the ages of 5 and 20 was 177; number who attended school, 123; num- ber of non-resident pupils, 8; number of days of school taught, 485; number of frame school build- ings, 2; number of log school buildings, 3; number of pupils that can be seated, 172; value of school property, $1,035; number of male teachers employed, 1; number of female teachers employed, 6; wages paid male teachers, $66.65; wages paid female teach- ers, $617. The value of property in Big Prairie Township in 1852 was $16,232.37, and the taxes collected was $130.63, and the records give the equalized valuation of the property in 1883 as only $59,600. As far back as 1871, when the township comprised more territory the valuation was $120,000. The amount of taxes raised for 1883 was $1,898.57. The township has had only two Supervisors. In 1852 John Betts was elected, since which time Hon. James Barton has served without interruption. ===========================================================================