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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
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SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Album
        of Newaygo County, Mich.
        Chapman Brothers: 1884
        
        
                          BRIDGETON TOWNSHIP
         
               In Bridgeton Township we have one of the 
               oldest townships in the county. It was or-
               ganized at the same time with Big Prairie,
               at the first meeting of the Board of Super-
               visors, March 20, 1852; and then comprised
               townships 11 to 16, 14 west, and the w. half
               of Tps. 11 to 16, 13 west.  It has been at
               different times reduced in size, to allow of
               the erection of other townships, and now
               contains only township 11 north, 14 west. It
               is bounded on the north by Sheridan Township,
               on the east by Ashland Township, and on the
               south and west by Muskegon County. In the
               eastern part of the township is the old post-
               office of Bridgeton.  Muskegon River flows
               diagonally through the township, crossing 
               sections 12,13,14,15,16,21,20,29,30 and 31.
               On section 30, the river divides into two
               channels, forming a large island known as
               Maple Island.
                 The first election was held the first Monday
               in April, 1852.  Isaac D. Merrill was chosen
               Supervisor.  At the last election, held April
               2, 1883, the following officers were chosen:
               Frank W. Squier, Supervisor; George W. Fuller,
               Clerk; Martin V. Bertram, Treasurer; Edgar O.
               Whitman, Highway Commissioner; John Heinol,
               Drain Commissioner; James W. Trumbull and 
               Augustus Flint, School Inspectors; Ransom J.
               Squier and Henry Zerlaut, Justices of the Peace;
               Harley Rarrick, Napoleon Jennings, Mark Harding
               and John Weiler, Constables.
                 The population of Bridgeton in 1880 was 388.
                 The valuation of property in this township has
               increased from $54,247 in 1853 to $78,435 in 1883,
               and the taxation from $178.21 in 1852 to $1,720 in
               1883, with the usual variations at different times.
               
                                SUPERVISORS
                                
                    Isaac D. Merrill     1852-4
                    Alfred A. Maguire    1855
                    Alfred A. Maxim      1856
                    Isaac D. Merrill     1857-8
                    Andrew T. Squier     1859
                    Laban Putman         1860
                    Andrew T. Squier     1861
                    Isaac D. Merrill     1862
                    Zera Misner          1863-4
                    Amos Slater          1865-6
                    Andrew T. Squier     1867
                    Amos Slater          1868-72
                    Alfred A. Maxim      1873
                    George H. Brown      1874
                    H. M. Woodward       1875
                    W. S. Merrill        1876
                    H. D. Woodward       1877-80
                    F. W. Squier         1881
 
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