Mecosta County MI Archives History .....History Of Colfax Township 1883
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 25, 2008, 3:59 pm

This is township 15 north, range 9 west, Congressional survey, and is bounded 
on the north by Grant Township, on the east by Martiny, on the south by Austin 
Township, and on the west by Big Rapids Township. The township is drained 
principally by Ryan Creek, which flows west through the northern part of the 
township. There are several good-sized lakes and a number of smaller ponds in 
Colfax. The largest is Clear Lake, on section 21. In the northwest corner are 
Long Pond and Town Line Lake. On the northern boundary is Pickerel Lake; and 
in the northeastern part of the township are Colby Lake, Cook Lake, Mud Lake 
and Twin Lakes. In the southwestern part of the township is the Grand Rapids & 
Indiana railroad, which crosses section 31. On this road is Byers' station and 
postoffice. The Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad runs through sections 
18,17,16,15,14, and 13. In section 13 the Chippewa branch connects with the 
main line, and at this junction is the new village of Rodney, which has good 
prospects for future growth.

The township of Colfax was organized in 1869, and its first Supervisor was 
Sidney L. Rood. the first white settler was Lloyd W. Simonds, who located on 
section 19, in 1860. The first death was that of Helen A. Rood. The first 
couple married were Noble D. Rood and Martha A. Edwards. The ceremony was 
preformed June 30, 1869, by Lloyd W. Simonds, Justice of the Peace. The first 
frame building was a barn erected by L.W. Simonds in 1868. the first mill was 
a portable steam saw-mill, put up by Henry Escott, in 1869. The first school-
house was a frame building erected on section 31, in 1870.

The population of Colfax Township in 1870 was only 146. In 1874 it had 
increased to 263; and the census of 1880 showed a further increase to 669. It 
had 2,001 acres of improved land in 1881. The present equalized valutaion of 
the real and personal property of the township is $264,842. Its total vote in 
November, 1882, was 94.

Additional Comments:
Mecosta County Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Brothers, 1883.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/history/other/historyo44gms.txt

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