Return to the Frank Passic
Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
|
Morning Star, April 9, 1995, pg. 15 North of Albion and Sheridan Townships in eastern Calhoun County is the township of Clarence. This township was originally named Pinkney Township (don’t laugh--our settlers tried to name Sheridan Township as Deerfield until the Michigan Legislature told them no). Of course this also includes Duck Lake, a popular resort area. Clarence Township has a rich history, which has now been captured in print by the new book just published A History of Clarence Township Then and Now. This masterpiece was assembled by the Clarence Township Historical Society, and is a huge 316 pages in size. The book contains over 250 photographs of people, places and events. Numerous articles were submitted by various family members and interested persons for this book. There are several of my articles in the book which originally appeared in this column in the Morning Star. Although the book covers Clarence Township, it doesn’t stop there, as area history is also covered, including articles about Albion, Springport, Rice Creek, and others. The Society’s news release gives an idea of what is covered in this book: “Schools, Indians, Mastadons, Farming, Biographies, Veterans, Duck Lake, Athletics, Businesses, Cemeteries, Early Censuses, First Settler, Clubs and Organizations, where can you find them all?” This hardcover book is huge and is well worth the inexpensive $25 price. It was an honor to meet with the group of dedicated committee members who worked long and hard on this book. I heartily endorse this book and encourage our readers to purchase one for their own library. Copies are available at the Albion Chamber of Commerce in downtown Albion across the street from Homestead, also at Hisler’s Hardware (Note: There are many biographies of the Hiesler family in this book) in Springport, and of course at the Clarence Township Hall just east of Duck Lake. An Open House will be held celebrating this book on Sunday, April 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. There you will be able to meet the committee members, get their autographs, purchase a book, and enjoy hearing stories and tales about the book from area residents. Light refreshments will be served. The Open House will be held at the Clarence Township Hall just east of Duck Lake. From our Historical Notebook this week we present a photograph of this group of dedicated committee members whose work has succeeded in the publishing of this wonderful book which will be cherished for generations to come. Back row, left to right: Mildred Bienz, Kenneth Stone, Albert D. McCallum. Front row: Arlona McCallum, June Garfield, Glendon Gifford. If you wish to purchase a book by mail, write to the: Clarence Township Historical Society, c/o Clarence Township Hall, 27052 R Drive North, Springport, MI 49284. Please add $6.00 for postage and handling. Only 733 copies were produced, so I would suggest that you purchase your copy soon before they are all sold out. 
Dedicated Clarence Township Book Committee Members Next: CHARLES BOLDEN All text copyright, 2026 © all rights reserved Frank Passic | Artwork copyright Maggie LaNoue © 2026
| |
