Vernon Township<BR>Shiawassee County, Michigan

Vernon Township
Shiawassee County, Michigan

Organized 3-21-1839

1875 County Map

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Vernon Township.....1875

The township is believed to have gotten it's name from either Vernon, New York or Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. The first township meeting was held in 1837 at the home of William Reed, who had come in 1836. Mr. Reed was born in 1794 in Trenton, New Jersey and his wife was Minerva Woolcot. They had nine children, at least six of which were boys.

The elected officers were: Supervisor, Ransom w. Holley; Clerk, James Rutan; Justices, R.W. Holley, James Van Auken; Highway Commissioners, John Smedley, R.W. Holley, C.W. Miller; Assessors, Noah Power, Marvin Wilcox, Joseph Parmentor; Collector, S.N. Whitcomb; School Inspectors, James Rutan, R.W. Holley, James Van Auken; Constables, Noah Bovier, S.N. Whitcomb.

Durand was originally known as Vernon Center. Mary Miller, purchased the first land here in 1836. Early settlers also include: James and John Kenyon, William Young and Dr. L.D. Jones and James C. Brand built a sawmill and made barrel staves and headings. Durand had a wagon shop, blacksmith shop and a store which sold drugs and medicines.

It was renamed Durand after the Congressman who had helped get a post office for the town in 1876. William Putnam was the first postmaster.

Durand was once a major railroad depot in the area. Today it is the location of the Michigan Railroad History Museum. The museum is housed in the old Grand Trunk Depot.

The village of Vernon is located in sections six and seven. Located in Vernon Twp. It was settled in 1833 by Henry Leach of Detroit, followed by a squatter named Lathrop and Jacob Wilkinson, the first permanent settler.

James Raten became the first postmaster on Sept. 6, 1842. His daughter Julia, taught school in their home. The Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad came through here in 1856. The village was first platted in 1850, but not recorded until 1866. Milo Harrington opened the first store in 1857. Mr. James Van Auken from New York built the first brick home in the county there.

The first town elections were held in 1871, at the National Hotel. Elected were; President, Russell E. Bell, who was a former D. and E. engineer. Trustees elected: Ephraim Jones, William Larry; Clerk, Wm C. Pinney; Marshal, Benjiman Chase; Treasurer, Mortimore D. Rhodes; Assessor, Benjiman P. Warner. Thomas Winans and Joseph W. Yerkes had been judges of the election and Henry A. Bruno acted as clerk.

North Vernon was located in northern Vernon Twp. Samuel W. Whitcomb opened its Post Office on Aug. 21, 1843 serving as postmaster and it closed on Jan. 2, 1873.

1965 Vernon Township Map

1968 Vernon township Map

Shiawassee County Township Histories