Gaines Township, Genesee County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Gaines Township is a civil township
of Genesee County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 6,491 at the 2000 census
.
Philander McLain build on previous claimed land as the first settler in the geographically Gaines Township in 1838.
Ephraim Fletcher came to Gaines from New York in 1836 and settled on Van Vleet Road (section 16). Additional settlers move near by the Fletcher home and the area was label "Fletcher's Corner". Joshua Dart and Suzanna Stebbins Dart, his wife, with their children move from New Haven
, Connecticut
to this area in 1839.
A settlement name Ryno Settlement after Aaron B. and Catherine Ryno settled to the west of Miller's Settlement
south of Lyons
and north of Fletcher's Corners on the future Nichols Road.
Mundy Township was organized in 1837 included Gaines Township. Gaines Township was organized in 1842.
Joshua Dart was given the honor of naming the township upon its organization as he was the oldest township resident. He named it after General Edmund P. Gaines
, an acquaintance of his noted for his service in the War of 1812
, the Seminole Wars
and the Black Hawk War
. Twenty-one votes were polled in the organization meeting at Ephraim Fletcher's house that saw William B. Young elected supervisor; Martin Dart, Township Clerk; and Ephraim Fletcher, Treasurer.
A school was started around 1845 by the Van Fleet and Cargill areas.
and its name, was drained. An effective settlement was established there with the Crapo Farm with most structures outside of the current boundaries of the City of Swartz Creek
. Crapo was elected Governor of Michigan in 1865 and held office at the Farm's Mansion, Grassmoor. Crapo Farm even had its own rail depot. After a couple of Crapos held ownership of the Crapo Farm, it was sold to developers, Winshall Corporation and North American Development. The west side was designated and built into a subdivision of about 300 homes called Winchester Village. Other plans for Crapo Farms were a golf course around the Mansion as the clubhouse and a mall at Seymour and Miller Roads; neither of which were built. Winchester Village ended up being incorporated into the City of Swartz Creek.
, the township has a total area of 35.3 square miles (91.4 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.20%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,491 people, 2,269 households, and 1,892 families residing in the township. The population density
was 184.4 per square mile (71.2/km²). There were 2,334 housing units at an average density of 66.3 per square mile (25.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.92% White, 0.34% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races
, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 2,269 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.2% were married couples
living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $66,289, and the median income for a family was $69,649. Males had a median income of $53,547 versus $35,386 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $24,816. About 3.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 2.2% 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 Genesee County
Genesee County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-69* I-75* I-475-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-13* M-15* M-21* M-54* M-57-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 436,141 people, 169,825 households, and 115,990 families residing in the county. The population density was 682 people per square mile . There were 183,630...
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"....
. The population was 6,491 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Communities
- The Village of GainesGaines, MichiganGaines is a village in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 366 at the 2000 census. The village is within Gaines Township.-Government:...
is located within the township. - Duffield is an unincorporated community in the township that exists at the intersection of Duffield Road and Reid Road south of the Railroad tracks at 42°55′41"N 83°54′36"W.
Government
Gaines Township in Genesee County has a Supervisor-Board form of government. In this form of government, three members of the Board of Trustees are executives: Supervisor (being the township's chief executive), Clerk and Treasurer. There are additional 2 trustees elect to the board.| District | Number | Officeholder |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Representative | 5 | Dale E. Kildee Dale E. Kildee Dale Edward Kildee is the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 5th congressional district, serving since 1977. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes Flint, Saginaw and Bay City... |
| State Senate | 27 | John J. Gleason |
| State Representative | 49th | Lee Gonzales Lee Gonzales Lee Gonzales is a politician from the State of Michigan. He is a Democratic Party member and the former Michigan State Representative... |
| County Commissioner | 6th | Patrica Lockwood |
| School District | Swartz Creek | Multiple: see article |
| Durand | Multiple: see article | |
| Linden Linden Community Schools -Athletics:In 2008, the Linden Eagles Cross Country team won the MHSAA DIV II Cross Country meet, becoming the first sports team to win a state championship in the school's history.... |
Multiple: see article | |
| Community College | C.S. Mott Mott Community College Charles Stewart Mott Community College is a publicly supported post-secondary institution located in Flint, Michigan. Its district is the same as the Genesee Intermediate School District and is governed by an elected board of Trustees... |
Multiple: see article |
| Polling Locations | all precincts | Township Hall |
History
The first settler, Hartford Cargill, moved into the township section 36. Other early settlers settled in an area called Fletcher's Corners. Philander McLain's family in what is now the City of Swartz Creek. The Village of Gaines did not see a settler until 1856. The first passenger train passed through the future village site on July 4, 1856. A post office was established that same year.Philander McLain build on previous claimed land as the first settler in the geographically Gaines Township in 1838.
Ephraim Fletcher came to Gaines from New York in 1836 and settled on Van Vleet Road (section 16). Additional settlers move near by the Fletcher home and the area was label "Fletcher's Corner". Joshua Dart and Suzanna Stebbins Dart, his wife, with their children move from New Haven
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
to this area in 1839.
A settlement name Ryno Settlement after Aaron B. and Catherine Ryno settled to the west of Miller's Settlement
Swartz Creek, Michigan
-Demographics:At the 2000 census, there were 5,102 people, 2,233 households and 1,460 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,269.6 per square mile . There were 2,355 housing units at an average density of 586.0 per square mile...
south of Lyons
Clayton Township, Genesee County, Michigan
-Government:Clayton has a Supervisor-Board style township government with elected supervisor, clerk, treasurer and four trustees.The township and Swartz Creek cooperate in operating the Swartz Creek Area Fire Department,...
and north of Fletcher's Corners on the future Nichols Road.
Mundy Township was organized in 1837 included Gaines Township. Gaines Township was organized in 1842.
Joshua Dart was given the honor of naming the township upon its organization as he was the oldest township resident. He named it after General Edmund P. Gaines
Edmund P. Gaines
Edmund Pendleton Gaines was a United States army officer who served with distinction during the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Black Hawk War.-Early life:...
, an acquaintance of his noted for his service in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
and the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. Twenty-one votes were polled in the organization meeting at Ephraim Fletcher's house that saw William B. Young elected supervisor; Martin Dart, Township Clerk; and Ephraim Fletcher, Treasurer.
A school was started around 1845 by the Van Fleet and Cargill areas.
Crapo Farm
Swamp land called "Gaines' Dead Marsh", or "Dead Man's Swamp" - about 1000 acres—was purchased by Henry Howland Crapo in 1860. The swamp, the source of the west branch of the Swartz CreekSwartz Creek
Swartz Creek is a creek located in the Mid Michigan area in the United States. It is a tributary of the Flint River and has two branches, the East and West Branch. Its name comes from the German word Schwarz, meaning "black", as the creek water is muddy....
and its name, was drained. An effective settlement was established there with the Crapo Farm with most structures outside of the current boundaries of the City of Swartz Creek
Swartz Creek, Michigan
-Demographics:At the 2000 census, there were 5,102 people, 2,233 households and 1,460 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,269.6 per square mile . There were 2,355 housing units at an average density of 586.0 per square mile...
. Crapo was elected Governor of Michigan in 1865 and held office at the Farm's Mansion, Grassmoor. Crapo Farm even had its own rail depot. After a couple of Crapos held ownership of the Crapo Farm, it was sold to developers, Winshall Corporation and North American Development. The west side was designated and built into a subdivision of about 300 homes called Winchester Village. Other plans for Crapo Farms were a golf course around the Mansion as the clubhouse and a mall at Seymour and Miller Roads; neither of which were built. Winchester Village ended up being incorporated into the City of Swartz Creek.
| Years | Supervisor | Town Clerk | Treasurer | Justices of the Peace | Constables | Overseers of Highways | Highway Commissioners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1842 | William Young | Martin Dart | Ephraim Fletcher | James P. Allen, Philander McLain, Walter B. Beers, Frederick Wilcox | Elisha Martin, Layman Davis | William Young, Jonathan Yerkes, Marvin Williams, William Gazlay, John Rood, Walter Beers, Lyman Perkins, Lyman Cargill, Fred Wilcox, Elijah Lyman | James P. Allen, Lyman Perkins, William Gazley |
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 35.3 square miles (91.4 km²), of which, 35.2 square miles (91.2 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.20%) 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 6,491 people, 2,269 households, and 1,892 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 184.4 per square mile (71.2/km²). There were 2,334 housing units at an average density of 66.3 per square mile (25.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.92% White, 0.34% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.48% 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 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 2,269 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.2% 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, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 13.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $66,289, and the median income for a family was $69,649. Males had a median income of $53,547 versus $35,386 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 $24,816. About 3.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.