Venice Township
Shiawassee County, Michigan

Nelson Ferry, a surveyor and teacher came from Ohio with his family and he helped establish the first school. School was held in his home, with his daughter being the teacher. When a school had been built, Mr. Placeway became the teacher. He taught in several area schools as well.

Elnathan Brown came in 1839 and built a hotel and overnite stop in section 30. At that time there was also a grist mill in operation. Riley Byington was a shoe maker and repaired shoes and boots in his home.

Charles Wilkinson came from Jefferson County, New York in 1840. He settled in section 7, and held school in his barn. His son, George was the first boy born in the Venice Township.

Township government began on April 1, 1843 at the home of Neely Sawtell. Elected officials were; Supervisor, Daniel I. Lipe; Clerk, Neely Sawtell; Treasurer, Charles Wilkinson; Highway Commissioners, Truman Bunce, Joseph Dunbar, A.M. Jennings; Directors of the Poor, Truman Bunce, A.M. Jennings; Constables, Charles Wilkinson, Wm. Placeway. Other pioneers were; Andrew Lytle, Alonzo Owens, Joseph Card, E.S. and C.L. Cronkhite, Samuel Martin and John Gerardy, who came from France in 1855.

The village of Lennon was built on M-13, the county line between M-21 and I-69 and was named for Peter Lennon of Genessee County. He convinced the Grand Trunk Railroad to pass through here and he built an grain elevator. Lennon's farm was actually in Clayton Twp. of Genesee County when he became postmaster on July 6, 1880, but the Post Office was transferred across the county line into Shiawassee on Feb. 2, 1889. The Zip Code is 48449.

Venice located in Vencie Twp. at the intersection of M-21 and Durand roads. This village was named after its township. Charles Wilkinson became the first Postmaster on Feb. 19, 1851. This office closed on July 30, 1852, but was reopened on Feb. 2, 1881 until Aug. 14, 1894.

Venice Center was located on Durand Road 1/4 mile south of M-21. (Venice). At one time Venice Center had a post office in a home.