Clearwater Township, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Clearwater Township is a civil township
of Kalkaska County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,382. The township was organized in 1867.
, who located there in the fall of 1855, while it was still attached to Grand Traverse County
. For the next twelve years, he and his wife were the only permanent white residents of the county. A dam had been built on the Barker Creek about the time Copeland moved there, but a planned mill was never built. The next permanent resident in the township was William H. Bockes, a native of Medina County, Ohio and a Civil War
veteran. In June 1866, he purchased land in the township near Barker Creek. After returning to Ohio to marry his wife in October, they both returned immediately to take up residence. Another early resident in the Barker Creek area was John H.F. Letherby, born in England and moved to Canada at the age of 16. He settled in section 32 near Barker Creek in October 1866.
In section 36 in the southeast corner of the township, a few related families originally from Susquehanna County
, Pennsylvania
, made their homes. D.P. Beebe, another Civil War veteran, was the first to arrive in the spring of 1867. Norman Ross, his father-in-law came in the summer of 1867 and became the first township supervisor when it was organized. A.C. Beebe, also a Civil War veteran, came in May 1868.
Elisha W. Clement, from Brantford, Ontario
settled in section 14 in December 1867. Albert T. Kellogg, from Cortland County, New York
, settled in section 14 in September 1868.
Kalkaska County remained unorganized and attached to first Grand Traverse County
and then Antrim County
until an act of the Michigan Legislature of January 27, 1871. Rapid River Township
was the first township organized in the county, while it was still attached to Antrim County for administrative purposes. The township was organized in 1868 so that residents in the area would be able to vote in the presidential election without having to travel all the way to Antrim County. At that time, Rapid River Township encompassed several townships that were later separately organized. Clearwater Township was originally organized as "Round Lake" by an act of the Michigan Legislature on January 18, 1871, and was renamed Clearwater Township in January 1873. A post office with the name of "Clear Water" had been established in May 1869 and renamed "Clearwater" in December 1873. There was also a post office at Barker Creek from February 1874 until May 1937. Barker Creek was a station on the Chicago and West Michigan Railway
(now the Pere Marquette Railroad).
, the township has a total area of 33.8 square miles (87.5 km²), of which, 31.1 square miles (80.5 km²) of it is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it (7.76%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,382 people, 944 households, and 681 families residing in the township. The population density
was 76.5 per square mile (29.5/km²). There were 1,375 housing units at an average density of 44.1 per square mile (17.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.52% White, 0.04% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 944 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $37,008, and the median income for a family was $42,056. Males had a median income of $31,932 versus $20,085 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $16,961. About 5.5% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
of Kalkaska County
Kalkaska County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,571 people, 6,428 households, and 4,634 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 10,822 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,382. The township was organized in 1867.
Communities
- Barker Creek is a ghost townGhost townA ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
on M-72M-72 (Michigan highway)M-72 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, running from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan across the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The highway connects M-22 in Empire with US Highway 23 in Harrisville. It is one of only three Michigan state trunklines that cross the Lower...
, about seven miles northwest of KalkaskaKalkaska, MichiganKalkaska is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 2,226. It is the county seat of Kalkaska County.-Geography:...
at 44°46′49"N 85°18′48"W. - Rapid City is an unincorporated community at 44°50′04"N 85°16′57"W on the Rapid RiverRapid River (Kalkaska County, Michigan)Rapid River is a river in Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river empties into Torch River at the community of Torch River just south of Torch Lake....
. - Torch River is an unincorporated community at 44°51′04"N 85°19′26"W at the south end of Torch LakeTorch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan)Torch Lake at long is Michigan's longest inland lake and at approximately 18,770 acres is Michigan's second largest inland lake. National Geographic rated it the third most beautiful lake in the world. An average property on Torch Lake costs approximately two million dollars...
, where the Torch River exits the lake and is joined by the Rapid RiverRapid River (Kalkaska County, Michigan)Rapid River is a river in Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river empties into Torch River at the community of Torch River just south of Torch Lake....
. A portion of the community is on the west side of the river in Milton TownshipMilton Township, Antrim County, MichiganMilton Township is a civil township of Antrim County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,072 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...
, Antrim CountyAntrim County, Michigan-History:Antrim County was formed in 1863. In 1950 its population was 10,721. The county seat was originally located in Elk Rapids, but was moved to Bellaire in 1904 after 25 years of litigation.-Demographics:...
.
History
The first permanent white settler in what is now Kalkaska County was William George Copeland, a farmer born in NottinghamshireNottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
, who located there in the fall of 1855, while it was still attached to Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
-Air service:*Grand Traverse County is served by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 77,654 people, 30,396 households, and 20,730 families residing in the county. The population density was 167 people per square mile . ...
. For the next twelve years, he and his wife were the only permanent white residents of the county. A dam had been built on the Barker Creek about the time Copeland moved there, but a planned mill was never built. The next permanent resident in the township was William H. Bockes, a native of Medina County, Ohio and a Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
veteran. In June 1866, he purchased land in the township near Barker Creek. After returning to Ohio to marry his wife in October, they both returned immediately to take up residence. Another early resident in the Barker Creek area was John H.F. Letherby, born in England and moved to Canada at the age of 16. He settled in section 32 near Barker Creek in October 1866.
In section 36 in the southeast corner of the township, a few related families originally from Susquehanna County
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,238 people, 16,529 households, and 11,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 21,829 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, made their homes. D.P. Beebe, another Civil War veteran, was the first to arrive in the spring of 1867. Norman Ross, his father-in-law came in the summer of 1867 and became the first township supervisor when it was organized. A.C. Beebe, also a Civil War veteran, came in May 1868.
Elisha W. Clement, from Brantford, Ontario
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
settled in section 14 in December 1867. Albert T. Kellogg, from Cortland County, New York
Cortland County, New York
Cortland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, named after Federico Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. The county seat is Cortland...
, settled in section 14 in September 1868.
Kalkaska County remained unorganized and attached to first Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
-Air service:*Grand Traverse County is served by Cherry Capital Airport, which is located near Traverse City.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 77,654 people, 30,396 households, and 20,730 families residing in the county. The population density was 167 people per square mile . ...
and then Antrim County
Antrim County, Michigan
-History:Antrim County was formed in 1863. In 1950 its population was 10,721. The county seat was originally located in Elk Rapids, but was moved to Bellaire in 1904 after 25 years of litigation.-Demographics:...
until an act of the Michigan Legislature of January 27, 1871. Rapid River Township
Rapid River Township, Michigan
Rapid River Township is a civil township of Kalkaska County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,005 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
was the first township organized in the county, while it was still attached to Antrim County for administrative purposes. The township was organized in 1868 so that residents in the area would be able to vote in the presidential election without having to travel all the way to Antrim County. At that time, Rapid River Township encompassed several townships that were later separately organized. Clearwater Township was originally organized as "Round Lake" by an act of the Michigan Legislature on January 18, 1871, and was renamed Clearwater Township in January 1873. A post office with the name of "Clear Water" had been established in May 1869 and renamed "Clearwater" in December 1873. There was also a post office at Barker Creek from February 1874 until May 1937. Barker Creek was a station on the Chicago and West Michigan Railway
Chicago and West Michigan Railway
The Chicago and West Michigan Railway is a defunct railroad which operated in the state of Michigan between 1881 and 1899. It was one of the three companies which merged to become the Pere Marquette Railway....
(now the Pere Marquette Railroad).
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 33.8 square miles (87.5 km²), of which, 31.1 square miles (80.5 km²) of it is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it (7.76%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,382 people, 944 households, and 681 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 76.5 per square mile (29.5/km²). There were 1,375 housing units at an average density of 44.1 per square mile (17.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.52% White, 0.04% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.13% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 944 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $37,008, and the median income for a family was $42,056. Males had a median income of $31,932 versus $20,085 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $16,961. About 5.5% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.
Further reading
- The Traverse region, historical and descriptive, with illustrations of scenery and portraits and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers.. Chicago: H. R. Page & Co., 1884. pp. 313+
- Romig, Walter. Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1986.