by Lila Han
(Our early history is taken from the 1880 History of Shiawassee County)
The first trader to come to Shiawassee county was Whitmore Knaggs, who came in 1820 and established a trading post on thc Shiawassee River at the Indian Reservation known as Kechewondaugoning. It soon became known as Knaggs Place, and when a bridge was built across the river at that point, it became known as Knaggs Bridge, the name it still bears today.
During the year of 1823, Deputy United States surveyors Joseph Wampler, John Mullett and William Brookfield, accompanied by their assistants, ran out the township and sectional lines prevailing at the present time, and from their field notes we obtain the earliest authentic information.
In 1829, Alfred L. Williams and his brother, Benjamin 0. Williams came prospecting to this county and decided that when they became of age they would return and purchase land in this new and beautiful area. In 1831 they did return and purchased land adjacent to the north side of the reservation. Thus, they became our first white settlers. Here they opened a trading post and built the building which became known as the Shiawassee Exchange. (Section 25, Shiawassee Township).
However, in 1833, Benjamin Williams in pursuing a journey to Saginaw via the broad Indian trail which followed the course of the Shiawassee River. He passed this way in company with Esh-ton-e-quet, or Little Bear. They traveled with Indian ponies and came upon the open plain which skirted the right bank of the river at the Che-Boc- Watting or Big Rapids.
A halt was made on the high ground near the present school building. They saw magnificent water power possibilities, beautiful rose-willow and plains.
The opposite side was a wooded tract of dense heavy timber, described by William Brookfield in these magic words: Plains or oak openings. Land first rate. Good soil. No large timber. It was long ago burned off.
Upon returning from Saginaw to the trading post, The Exchange, Mr. Williams acquainted his brother with his discovery and urged that they buy with what available cash they had, lands at the Big Rapids. On August 2, 1833. the first land in the surveyed township was transferred to individual ownership in the name of Alfred L. and Benjamin 0. Williams. This was a portion of section 24, and when more money was available, more land was purchased in section 13, in all about 200 acres. This was the beginning of Owosso and Owosso Township. According to Mr. Williams, the name Wassa was derived from that of Wassa, the principal chief of the Shiawassee hand of Indians who lived near Shiawasseetown. Upon the organization of the township in 1837, the letter 0 was prefixed to the chiefs name and the same adopted as the nanie of the township. The hamlet in its midst, as yet without a name other than Big Rapids, also assumed the same name. Originally, the word was spelled Owassa, but later obtained the spelling Owosso.
In 1822, Shiawassee County was proclaimed a separate county, its boundaries including, in addition to its present area, the NE quarterof Ingham County, the north half of Livingston County, and the 8 townships of western Genesee. The later organization of these counties cut off these portions and reduced Shiawassee to its present size. The north half was organized into a township known as Owosso Township. At the same time, the townships of Burns and Vernon were set off, embracing the same territory as at present. The remainder of the county was the township of Shiawassee. In 1838, the township of Antrim was organized, being the same as at present; also the township of Bennington, in addition to its present area, included Perry township. April, 1838, the township of Woodhull was organized and included what is now Sciota.
The first reduction of Owosso Township was made by an Act approved in 1839, which formed the township of Middlebury, and which included the present Middlebury and Fairfield Townships. The same Act took from Owosso what is now Venice Township and attached it to the township of Vernon. The next day the Governor approved an Act which created the township of Caledonia. Bennington was reduced to its present size in 1841, and a separate township of Perry was formed. In 1841, New Haven was created and included the present Hazelton Township.
Woodhull was reduced to its present size in 1842, and township of Sciota was formed. The township of Venice was taken from Vernon in 1843 and organized on its own. In 1850, Owosso Township was reduced to a single township. The youngest township is Fairfield, organized in 1854 when it was taken from Middlehury.
Some of our early schools were built in the larger townships, before they were reduced in size, so this clarification should help us understand the schools that were first built and districts organized.
One of the first schools (and perhaps the first) in the county was opened in the tavern of Lucius Beach in Shiawasseetown in 1839. The county at that time had no schools, and so a school was begun with a Mr. Wilcox, who later became Judge Wilcox, as teacher. The school opened with 7 scholars, 4 of whom belonged to the Beach family, and 3 to the Hart family. The 2nd day there were 25, and the 2nd week there were 40 enrolled, many coming a long distance. The 2nd teacher was Mr. Andrew Parsons who later became Governor of Michigan.
The name Shiawassee has had many meanings. Shiawassee meaning, rolling or sparkling waters; also known as Chippewa term for straight running river; Shiawassee (straight, or straight ahead) wassee. The last seems to be the Indian version.
Into this wilderness area came our early pioneers who built homes, roads, and organized local governments and our schools.
The Comstock cabin, home of Elias Comstock and his wife, was built in 1836, and is still standing today. It was the type of home built by our pioneers as they settled in this area, using logs cut from their own property. Elias Comstock was a teacher before coming here, so it was only fitting that he should he elected to the Board of School Inspectors.
This examination of Charles Parkill by the Board, is the first record of a teacher being certified to teach in Owosso. N/lay 4th, 1844.
Corunna High School Class of 1880