Before 1700, the earliest settlements on Beaver Island were of Ottawa (Odawa) and Chippewa (0jibiwa) Indians, comprised mainly of small fishing villages. In 1700, white men first arrived, while fighting in skirmishes in disputes between France and England, but they did not settle on the Island. In the early 1800s trappers and traders arrived, and 1832 marked a visit from Father Baraga in a long canoe from Abre Croche to baptize Indians and set up a mission church. The population of Beaver Island at that time numbered at least 100. Through trapping, fishing, and lumbering, Beaver Island was a growing economic power in Northern Michigan, second only to Mackinaw Island. In 1836, the principal chief who signed a treaty giving sole ownership of Beaver Island to the Indians was Chief Kenwabakise.

Peaine Township was formed in March of 1847, and comprised all of Beaver Island. The first Township meeting was held on May 1st of that year at Alva Cable's store and Indian trading post. In 1848 James Jesse Strang and some followers formed a colony on Beaver Island, building houses and roads and planting crops. As they strengthened their hold, they began to impose rules that drove away the earlier settlers. Strang was assassinated in 1856 and most of his followers were expelled from the Island. Within a few weeks some of the earlier settlers, mostly fisherman, returned to the Island, as well as many newly-arrived Irish immigrants. James Cable, nephew of Alva Cable, also had a trading post at the South End and a dock to supply cordwood to Great Lakes steamers during the 1840's and 1850's.

Some dates of interest:

1851: the Beaver Island Head Light and Station was Commissioned.

1880: there were 881 residents on the Island; they were self-sufficient through fishing, farming, and logging.

1900: Census population - 1,200 (included Garden Island)

1901: Sunnyside School was built and operated until 1912

1904: Roosevelt School was built

1905: the first telegraph service began

1910: Census of Peaine Township listed 362 residents (St. James-567, Indian-136)

1912 - 1933: Cole's Mill and Post Office operated at Nomad.

1920s: tourism began

1926: regular winter mail delivery started

1939: Island-wide power plant was built

1940s: decline of the fishing industry began

1940s: clearing was started at the "Pinery" for the Beaver Island Township Airport

1950s: lowest population census since 1830s

1970: Census of all of Beaver Island was 219

1980: Census of Beaver Island grew to 321

1984: Census was 92 in Peaine, and 278 in St. James

1990: Census population of Peaine Township was 128.

2000: Census population of Peaine Township was 244 (260 registered voters)

Beaver island was first called the Isle du Castor (Island of the Beaver) around 1744. Beaver Island appeared on a map around 1755. Some sources state it was named for its shape, that of a beaver. Beavers were introduced-or reintroduced-to the Island around 1901. Between 1848 and 1856, the Mormon self-proclaimed King of Beaver Island and duly elected representative to the Michigan State Assembly between 1852 and 1856, James Jesse Strang, influenced life on the Island as well as in the state assembly Michigan. Lake Geneserath and Jordan River, place names in Peaine Township, both show his influence, as well as the formation of Galilee Township.

Local and Special Acts of Michigan:

1847 - No 69, Section 8, page 83: Transfer of all Beaver Islands from County of Mackinaw, set off and organized into a separate Township named Peaine.

1853 - No 18, Sectionl, 5, 6, page 15/16: County of Emmett organized and Galilee Township formed from part of Peaine Township with boundaries 37 & 38 North with west and south ranges 10 & 11.

1855 - No. 92, Section 1-2, page 197/198: All Lake Michigan Islands organized into separate County of Manitou.

1855 - No. 92, Section 3, "The Beaver group of islands in Lake Michigan, EXCEPT townships 37 north, and south half of township 38 north, of ranges 10 and 11 west, shall be organized into a separate township, by the name of PEAINE and the first township meeting shall be held in the village of Saint James."

1855 - No. 92, Section 4, "All that part of Beaver Island which lies in the towns 37 north, ranges 10 and 11 west, and the south half of towns 38 north, of 10 and 11 west, shall be organized into a separate township by the name of Galilee, and the first township meeting shall be held at the school house at Galilee."

1859 - No. 194, Section 1, page 546: Hat, Hog, Garden Islands now part of Peaine Township shall be set off into a separate township named Garden Island. First township meeting on Garden Island, village of Peaine.

1861 - No. 86, Section 1, page 120/121: Portion of Beaver Island north of a parallel with the quarter line running east and west through sections 27, 28, 29, township 39 north of range 10 west and all other islands and bars and shoals contiguous to said islands shall be organized into Chandler Township (later St. James Township.)

1897 - No. 363, page 267: Vacate Galilee Township in Charlevoix County, attach to Peaine Township.

1901 - Charlevoix County, page 749/750: Formation of St James Township by Charlevoix County Supervisors on December 13,1899 as a result of a petition presented by James Dunlevey and James McCann and signed by 41 other Beaver Island residents. Be it resolved that said territory being in range 39 north, 10 west; 40 north, 10 west; 38 north, 11 west; 38 north, 12 west 39 north, 9 west 40 north, 9 west and 40 north, 8 west and all other islands belonging to the Big Beaver group and the St James Township will hold its first meeting at the old courthouse in St. James village

Namesake of Peaine Township
Chief Peter Payzhickwaywedong (also known as Peaine Payzhickwaywedong, or Chief Peaine) came to the Beaver Island Archipelago from the Upper Peninsula in 1838. According to legend, he was appointed chief by U.S. Indian Agent, Henry Schoolcraft to replace Chief Kenwabahkisse, who had refused to pledge allegiance to the U.S. (Kenwabahkisse fought for the British in the War of 1812.) Peaine's name meant 'One Voice' or 'Cloudy Day.' He was a Christian Indian. He and his followers separated from the Indian village called Wakwigijig near the harbor and settled in Paysheton (now known as Pagetown) and eventually moved to Garden Island around 1847. Upon his death, in 1914 on Garden Island at age 95, his son Antoine Peaine became chief and was chief until his death in 1927 in St James. If these facts are correct, Chief Peaine was 19 years old when he settled on Beaver Island and thus was probably born in 1819, although where he was born is not known. The 1855 Indian Treaty with the Ottawa and Chippewa that divided up tribal land among individual Indians was signed by Chief Peaine and also by Headman Pi-a-zhick-way-we-dong.
A quote follows from the essay Chief Peaine and the Mormons by Sarah McKinlev and Helen Collar, which appeared in Journal of Beaver Island History, v.3. "The Chief on the Reservation (on Garden Island) was named 'Peaine' (Cloudy Day) and his bothers were Andenemy (Ripe Corn), who died 7-7-1907 in St James at 96 years of age, and Watonasaw (Walk on Water). They were of the Ottawa tribe and were large, fine-looking men. One thing was very unusual: Peaine's hair curled on his head in ringlets. There was a dignity about him that commanded absolute respect."

Alternate spellings of the Peaine name found doing research are Peahen, Paean, Paine, Peanine, Peine, Peane, Pe-ane, and Payne.
In a speech given during Museum Week in 1994, George Anthony stated that in 1721 Indians of the straits area came to Beaver Island because of danger of attack. In 1763, Winniway, son of the great War Chief of the Straits Chippewa, Menehwehn, took non-Indian prisoners to Beaver Island. During the War of 1812, Beaver Island Indians fought with the British. War Chief Kaybayosay and a warrior Chief named Kinwahahkisse (who signed the 1836 Indian Treaty giving the Indian Tribe sole ownership of the Islands) also participated in the war.

Some previous Officers of Peaine Township
Frank Blatt, Earl Boyle, Hugh Boyle, Pat Boyle, Dick Burris, Hugh Connahan, Rose Connaghan, Stanley Floyd, James Gallagher, Phillip Gallagher, John Gallagher, Condy Gallagher, Lester & Delores Gallagher, Phillip Gallagher, Buddy Martin, John McCafferty, John McCauley, Daniel McCauley, . Owen McCauley, Vestey McDonough, Pat McDonough, Frank Nackerman, Anthony O'Donnell, Edward Palmer, Joan Petrak, George & Florence Ricksgers, Andrew Roddy, Willie & Clara Schmidt, Frank & Gladys Schnadigel, Bucky Vreeland, Bill Wagner, Betty Welke, and Paul Welke.

Some Historical Highlights:

1891 - Annual Meeting: School inspectors were paid $4 a year, the Clerk $10 a year, a Prosecuting Attorney (from the mainland) $10 for trying lawsuit for the town. Daniel McCauley: paid $9 for hauling lumber for Township business, $3 for taking law books from harbor to school. Vestey McDonough: $10.50 for hauling lumber, $25 for clearing the "Mill" Road. Edward McCauley: $12 for hauling lumber, $1.50 for carrying books from Harbor, $9.50 for work as commissioner of highways. John McCauley: $12 for hauling lumber, $1.30 for paying express charges on books, $6 for 3 days on Board of Review, $12 making assessment rolls and spreading taxes, $3 for two days in looking after lawsuits. James O'Donnell: $6 for 3 days on Board of Review. Hugh Boyle: $6 for 3 days on Board of Review.

1892 - Annual Meeting: $350 put on taxes for defraying Township expenses and for building of township hall. $350 put on taxes for school purposes. Peter Boyle elected overseer of highways for road district. $150 for schools, John McCauley, Supervisor.

1893 - On March 28,1893 total amount on hand was $27,548.00

1893 - December 1,1893 the following was reported County Tax $413.62; State Tax $33.09; Mill Tax $16.00; Uncollected personal Town Tax $35,000; Highway Tax $75.00 $12.75;
School Tax $350.00; Balance on Hand $14.79

1896 - John Gallagher is Supervisor

1897 - Hugh Boyle is Supervisor

1898 - On March 26th Owen McCauley, Justice of the Peace received written notice to investigate a case of damages by dogs to Mrs. Bonner's sheep. Two witnesses' were paid $2.00 each, no information on how case was settled.

Peaine Township makes up a major percentage of Beaver Island. It is the largest township in Charlevoix County, with 70 miles of roads, 30 Miles of Water (Lake) Frontage; 7 Inland Lakes (Font is only partly in Peaine); 2 Airports (private & Township) Generation Plant, Cellular Tower, Gas Station/Store/Propane Service, Laundromat/Car Wash, Golf Course, Transfer Station (Jointly with St James Township), new East Side Fire Station, Campground Parks, Walking Trails, Boat & Fishing Sites.

SOURCES: Beaver Island Historical Society, Michigan Law Library, Library of Michigan, Journal of Beaver Island History, v.3, King of Beaver Island by Roger Van Noord, The American Indian Treaties, 1836,1855, Peaine Township Documents.

Compiled on 8-2002 by J.Vyse